Who Is Leylah Fernandez? All About the Filipina-Canadian Tennis Star

At just 19 years old, Leylah reached the US Open final, stunning a string of top seeds including Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber, Elina Svitolina, and Aryna Sabalenka. Though she ultimately fell to Emma Raducanu, her fearless play and heartfelt speech—honoring New York’s resilience two decades after 9/11—cemented her as more than just a breakout player. Her father and coach, Jorge, told CBC in 2021 that Leylah’s success was a product of sacrifice, determination, and a fierce refusal to accept doubts about her size or power.

Leylah often speaks about her multicultural background. Her mother, Irene, is from the Philippines, while her father hails from Ecuador. In an interview with Remezcla in 2024, she emphasized how central her heritage is to her identity: “I’m also Latina and I’m also Filipina… I want to be able to showcase to the world that I’m not afraid to show that this is who I am. This is part of my heart.” She credits her family’s values—hard work, perseverance, and loyalty—for shaping both her character and her career.

Beyond individual tournaments, Leylah thrives in representing Canada. At the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals, she led the Canadian team to its first-ever title, scoring pivotal singles and doubles wins, according to Olympics.com. She has also represented Canada at the Olympics, describing the Games as “bigger than any other tournament.” 

Like many young players, Leylah grew up watching the legends—Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic—but she also drew inspiration from Latina athletes like Monica Puig, whose 2016 Olympic gold medal showed what was possible. Today, Leylah pays that forward. Speaking to Inquirer.net in 2025, she praised fellow Filipina player Alex Eala, calling her “an amazing player” and a role model for young athletes. Leylah hopes to one day visit the Philippines to run a tennis clinic and connect more deeply with her roots.

Behind her competitive edge lies a strong family bond. Jorge Fernandez has long been both father and coach, shaping her relentless style of play and her fighting spirit. Leylah often acknowledges the sacrifices her parents made—selling belongings and uprooting their lives—so she could pursue tennis. As she continues to rise on the WTA Tour, she carries both their sacrifices and her own ambitions with her. “Smiling is crucial,” she told Olympics.com. “Always live and love the moment, looking forward to the next adventure.”