Teenage tennis sensation Leylah Fernandez has shed light on her relationship with British star Emma Raducanu after the duo contested the US Open final last year.
The Canadian fell to Raducanu in straight sets in Flushing Meadows, losing 6-4 6-3 as the Brit secured her maiden Grand Slam title. It was an incredible moment as two teenagers gave their all to win a major tournament with the sporting world watching.
While Raducanu has somewhat struggled under the spotlight in the months after securing her monumental win, Fernandez has continued to impress. The 19-year-old is ranked 17th in the world, just five spots below the British star.
Raducanu was unceremoniously dumped out of the French Open on Wednesday as she fell 3-6 6-1 6-1 to Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the second round. However, Fernandez defeated No. 14 seed Belinda Bencic 7-5 3-6 7-5 to advance to the fourth round of Roland Garros - and the Canadian subsequently revealed her connection with Raducanu.
“We have mutual respect,” Fernandez said. “What Emma did is tremendous. When we see each other crossing the halls, practice courts, we always smile at each other, because we know what we did was incredible.
“We just want the best for each other. Hopefully both of us can keep going for many years and play more beautiful matches.”
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Roland Garros has proved to be somewhat of a trap for high ranking players while youngsters are excelling on the Parisian clay. Seven of the top 10 players are out and, with a competitive bottom half of the draw, Fernandez is one of three youthful North Americans who are showcasing a realistic chance of reaching the final.
If she did reach the final, Fernandez could face unstoppable Polish World No. 1 Iga Swiatek. The Canadian will play 20-year-old Amanda Anisimova in the fourth round after the American’s opponent Karolina Muchova rolled her ankle and retired in tears during the deciding set.
American 18-year-old Coco Gauff is also one to watch at Roland Garros after she topped Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi 6-3 6-4. Gauff will make her second quarter-final here in a row if she can move past Elise Mertens of Belgium tomorrow.
