Leylah Fernandez on her love for Real Madrid, admits she will be ‘fan-girling’ if players show up at her matches

Shahida Jacobs
May 1, 2022

Playing at the Madrid Open means Leylah Fernandez is playing in the same city as the football team she supports with Real Madrid her team of choice thanks to her father.

Fernandez made her main draw debut at the WTA 1000 tournament on Friday, defeating Andrea Petkovic in three sets to set up a second-round clash against Jill Teichmann from Switzerland.

However, it is not just tennis that she is focusing on while in Madrid as she is a big fan of Spanish giants Real Madrid and it is giving her extra motivation to play well.

“Growing up, the number one thing is that my dad is a Real Madrid fan, so of course I was attracted to the soccer team as well,” she told Eurosport.

“I’m also very, very honoured to be here in Madrid because that’s where not only the big football teams are, but it’s also where all the great champions played at and won tournaments.

“So it’s just like extra motivation for me to do well. Hopefully we’re still here by the end of the tournament so I can watch the soccer game.”

Real Madrid won their 35th La Liga title on Saturday after defeating Espanyol while they can still win the double as they will play Manchester City in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.

Although the Los Blancos players have a busy schedule, Fernandez hopes they will come to the Caja Magica so that she can “fan girl”.

“That’s going to be a very great opportunity, hopefully they will come and hopefully I’ll be playing,” she said.

“I’m just going to be fan-girling the whole time if I have that opportunity.”

Asked who will be “fan-girling’ more, she or her father, Fernandez replied: “Honestly my dad but he’ll make me do suicides if I say that, so I’m just going to say me.”

Leylah Fernandez