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Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber, Elina Svitolina, Aryna Sabalenka. These are some of the opponents that Leylah Fernandez managed to beat during the two weeks at the US Open, the last Grand Slam tournament of the 2021 season, before stopping at the finest in the final against her 2002 classmate and friend Emma Raducanu.
A girl who has missed the opportunity to win her first prestigious title, also due to an imperfect physical condition due to the many battles faced with respect to her opponent, but demonstrating a great talent to overcome very strong players who occupy the top positions of the WTA rankings.
The Canadian has made herself known in the world in recent days for the feats she has accomplished, fascinating all fans and professionals. No one, on the eve, could think of a final between two very young tennis players, a sign of a very balanced period in the women's circuit.
Before this incredible milestone, she had only gone as far as a third round at Roland Garros in 2020 in the Grand Slams. The 19-year-old from Montreal told an anecdote relating to a few years ago and her early years: “Usually when I was still younger I wanted to be as calm as possible on the pitch, a bit like Roger Federer manages to do in his matches.
I was surprised that the more outgoing I am and try to engage the audience, the better I play,” she said. She on her path in the New York competition: “I can't decide what my best victory is here, because I did well in several matches."
Federer hinted he could return early next year
Since turning pro in 1998, Roger Federer faced opponents from different eras of tennis.
Ranging from Andre Agassi to Rafael Nadal, the Swiss star engaged in many rivalries to establish himself as one of the greatest players of all time. Earlier this week, Federer appeared in a virtual event along with wheelchair players Shingo Kunieda and Gordon Reid.
During the event, the 40-year-old detailed how Navratilova’s idea of playing at the net changed the way players played the game. He said, “Back in the day also, if you look at the women’s game, or the men’s game.
If you look how Vilas and Borg had rallies, it was very much like back-and-forth, back-and-forth. Or Chrissie Evert also, very much back-and-forth. And then, somebody like Navratilova comes in, and others, who always net rush, and then other players realise, ‘Oh, this also works.' ”
