Leylah Fernandez Steps Up Her Game After Sister Bianca’s Fiery Scolding at Canadian Open Doubles
Leylah Fernandez recently shared how a moment of “tough love” from her sister Bianca played a pivotal role in helping her elevate her performance during the 2024 National Bank Open. The Fernandez sisters, who have been fan favorites in their home tournament, narrowly secured a spot in the semifinals of the doubles competition after a dramatic quarterfinal victory over Zhang Shuai and Kristina Mladenovic.
Competing together as a dynamic duo, Leylah and Bianca Fernandez have been on an impressive run at the National Bank Open. They kicked off their campaign by stunning the fifth-seeded pair of Demi Schuurs and Luisa Stefani with a straight-sets win. In the next round, they faced a rollercoaster match against Catherine Harrison and Ashlyn Krueger, ultimately prevailing 6-3, 4-6, 11-9 to advance to the quarterfinals.
The quarterfinal match against Zhang and Mladenovic was another intense battle. The Fernandez sisters fought hard in a topsy-turvy contest, eventually emerging victorious with a 7-5, 5-7, 12-10 win that sent them through to the semifinals.
During a press conference, Leylah Fernandez was asked whether her sister’s encouragement helped during their nail-biting tiebreak victories. With a smile, Leylah recounted an instance from their second-round match where Bianca’s brutally honest feedback gave her the push she needed. She revealed that after a particularly challenging point, she had asked Bianca for her thoughts. Bianca’s response was sharp and straightforward—just what Leylah needed to realize that her level of play wasn’t up to par.
“I won’t quote her, because she was pretty mean at that time,” Leylah said with a laugh. “It might have been in today’s match, but I think it was the one before. I asked her, ‘So, what do you see?’ And she just let out two or three sentences that were kind of mean. But it was necessary. I needed to hear that to wake up and say, ‘Okay, yeah, I’m not playing well. She’s really upset; I need to step up now.’ I don’t think she even remembers saying it.”
Leylah’s comments highlight the unique dynamic between the sisters—a combination of fierce competitiveness and unwavering support. Despite the occasional tough words, the bond they share on and off the court continues to drive them toward success. As they move closer to their dream of winning their home tournament, it’s clear that their partnership, forged in both love and determination, is a powerful force to be reckoned with.
