Leylah Fernandez ‘can’t wait to compete again’ after receiving ‘pretty good advice’ from Maria Sharapova

She won’t divulge details about their conversation, but Leylah Fernandez has revealed she recently met with “amazing person” Maria Sharapova, who gave her great advice.
Rising star Fernandez made the world sit up and take note of her talent at the US Open in September where she finished runner-up to fellow teenager Emma Raducanu.
Two days after the final, the 19-year-old Canadian attended the Met Gala in New York and she got the chance to speak to five-time Grand Slam winner and former world No 1 Sharapova.
“She gave me some pretty good advice,” Fernandez said. “I don’t want to disclose any of it because it’s very personal for me.
“She’s an amazing person. She told me her own experience and the way that she was able to bounce back and she’s just a great person, great inspiration to kind of look up to.”
The Canadian has had a whirlwind few weeks as she went from a relatively unknown player to attending one of the biggest fashion events in the world.
“That was definitely an experience to get ready, to put on the makeup, get the hair done, putting on the heels for the very first time,” she said.
“It was a little hard to walk on at first. The one thing on my mind going up the stairs in the Met was don’t fall down. Just walk one foot in front of the other.”
New kid on the block 🇨🇦 #TennisParadise looks good on you @leylahfernandez 🌴 pic.twitter.com/VWSZRVPOxo
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) October 3, 2021
However, she will finally return to action this week as she will take part in the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. The 23rd seed will face either qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse or Alize Cornet in the second round.
“I’m very lucky to have a great team around me to just let me focus on my craft, on my tennis, and not be overwhelmed with everything that’s going right now,” said Fernandez.
“Honestly I just can’t wait to be back on the tennis court competing again.”
Latest
-
News
Man City scandal, politics and Mason Greenwood – the tennis player driving a spicy Twitter account
Twitter can be a place where opinions can divide and reactions can be brutal, yet British tennis player Liam Broady doesn’t hold back.
-
Grand Slam
Jimmy Connors delivers trademark tribute to Novak Djokovic
Jimmy Connors delivers a glowing tribute to Novak Djokovic.
-
ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic on course to break rankings record in February
Novak Djokovic moves one step closer to immortality.
-
WTA Tour
WTA Rankings: Alycia Parks on the brink of top 50, Lin Zhu achieves season goal
It was a landmark week for Alycia Parks and Lin Zhu.
-
Tennis News
The Davis Cup Finals group stage set after qualifiers
The Davis Cup finals are taking shape.
-
WTA Tour
Alycia Parks instantly fell in love with tennis as a seven year old
Alycia Parks took up tennis by complete chance.
-
Tennis News
Stefanos Tsitsipas sees opportunity to improve in Netflix series
Stefanos Tsitsipas likes to do things differently.
-
Tennis News
Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas reignite feud after ‘clown’ comment
Tsitsipas made comments about Aussie maverick Kyrgios as he spoke to the media while playing for Greece in the Davis Cup.
-
WTA Tour
Alycia Parks pulls off biggest career win in stunning Lyon final upset
Alycia Parks wrapped up her breakthrough week on the WTA Tour with her first top five victory.
-
Tennis News
Who is Cameron Norrie’s girlfriend, Louise Jacobi?
Louise Jacobi has been involved with Cameron Norrie since 2019.