Leylah Fernandez and Emma Raducanu made tennis history at the 2021 US Open final, and now the player who finished as the runner-up on that remarkable day is expressing her desire to witness her rival’s triumphant return to the WTA Tour.
Qualifier Raducanu created tennis history when she won 10 straight matches in only the second major tournament of her career to claim US Open glory and catapult herself into instant superstar status.
Her win over Fernandez in the final drew huge viewing figures on television around the world, as the images of two teenagers seemingly starting a new era in tennis captured the imagination of viewers well beyond the tennis family.
Yet it has been hard for Raducanu and Fernandez to back up their remarkable runs at the US Open over the last couple of years, with injuries and the challenge of living up to inflated expectations see the two young stars dismissed as one-hit wonders by a cynical audience.
Yet Raducanu is on the way back after wrist surgery earlier this year and Fernandez confirmed she is finding her form once again she rallied from a set down to defeat Katerina Siniakova 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 and win the Hong Kong Open last weekend.
It was her first title in 19 months, the third of the 21-year-old Canadian’s career and first since winning at Monterrey in March 2022.
Now Fernandez has backed Raducanu to join her back in the winners’ circle as the British star eyes up a return in the New Year.
“Well, 2021 was a special tournament for both of us, we both did extraordinary things not many people get to experience,” said Fernandez, in quotes appearing in the South China Morning Post.
“I was able to beat a couple of top-10 players, ex-champions. Emma, she came through the qualifying, so we both had to go through some difficulties and afterwards, I think it was hard on both of us adjusting to the new life.
“I know Emma is working hard, I know she is hungry, she has something to prove, so I’m sure she’s going to come back and play some great tennis.
“Hopefully we do see her because she is great for the sport. She has got something special for the WTA and for women’s tennis.
“Hopefully we can both compete at the highest level once again side by side.”
Fernandez went on to admit she struggled to adapt to a new reality after he US Open run two years ago, as she took time to find her feet on the WTA Tour.
“It is extremely hard,” she added. “In the past, you think that you are grounded and you are the same person, but the reality is we grow and we mature, and sometimes what happens to us is we don’t want to see the truth.
“I’m very happy and glad that I do have my parents and a good team around me that tell me the truth even though I don’t like it. They help me stay grounded.
“Right now, I know what it feels like to, let’s say, not be grounded. I know what it feels like to have my head up in the clouds, to take it easy.
“But I also know what I need to do to get back on track. Now I’ve got a plan, I’m clear minded and know what I need to do. Hopefully the results keep coming, and hopefully the good times aren’t done, but I’m just going to enjoy my time right now.
“For me, my big goal is always to win a grand slam every year,” she added. “It’s always going to be tough. There are a lot of great, very talented players. I’m just going to try to take it one point at a time, one tournament at a time.
“That’s the most important thing – be happy with that, and I’ll be able to execute my game as much as possible.
“The goal is to be top 10, but I think the main focus is to stay humble and grounded and to keep working. My coach – my dad – has always said that every day is a new day, and we start from zero, especially in tennis.
“So I rather keep working hard and giving my best attitude on court, and keep playing the way I’m playing.”
