‘They’re More Involved’ – Leylah Annie Fernandez Explains How Emma Raducanu and Herself Changed Women’s Tennis

Miami Open has finally started. Two years of a wait of tennis fans is finally over. Both fans and players have welcomed the tournament with high energy and great enthusiasm. One such player is Leylah Annie Fernandez. The 19-year-old is full of energy and is very optimistic about the upcoming matches. A few things have changed since she last took part in Miami.

Leylah Appreciates the Increased Viewership of Women’s Tennis

In Miami Open 2019, Leylah couldn’t make it to the main draws as she left the tournament in the qualifiers only. Upon being asked if she is getting more recognition after the US Open finals. She said,” I think we have more fans watching tennis. I think that’s the difference. You see more of a bigger crowd watching women’s tennis, watching our matches, not only my matches but other players, too. They’re more interested and they’re more involved.”

Emma Raducanu defeated Leylah in the finals of the US Open, but what Leylah is happy with is the amount of attention the women’s tennis getting post the match. Leylah Annie Fernandez believes in the betterment of the game. Therefore, she appreciated the fact that women’s tennis is now followed more often by the audience than before.

Read more: 2021 US Open Finalist Leylah Fernandez Narrates How a Discouraging Childhood Incident Helped Her Reach Where She Is Today

“I think that’s what’s important. That is what has improved since the US Open. I’m loving every minute of it. I’m loving the positivity that all the players are getting from the fans.” She admitted. 

What Makes Leylah Annie Fernandez Stand Out

Leylah is young and yet has proved her potential in various tournaments. Many players belong to a family that has tennis in its background. Tennis is a sport that requires training from a very early stage and then is when a tennis-related background kicks in. however, Leylah, isn’t one of such players as her father is a former football player, though it seems not to affect her gameplay as she is performing pretty well.

Leylah has faced several experienced players and has logged victories against them. She incurred a victory against Aryna Sabalenka, the Belarusian with the highest career ranking of no.2 in the US Open semifinals. Owing to the same, she became the youngest player to qualify for a Grand Slam final after Maria Sharapova in 2004. Further, she also has defeated the former world no.1 Naomi Osaka in her run in US Open.

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However, Leylah’s journey for the singles title in the ongoing current Miami Open has ended. She will look forwards to the doubles title in the upcoming matches of the Miami Open.