Leylah Fernandez's DC Open is Historical win and Signals Her Return to the Top of Tennis
There’s something about Leylah Fernandez that just hits different. Maybe it’s her grit. Maybe it’s the fact that she still smiles after three-hour matches. Or maybe it’s that she’s been doubted her whole life and keeps proving everyone wrong, quietly, steadily, and now? Loudly.
Over the weekend, the 22-year-old Filipina-Ecuadorian Canadian won the biggest title of her career: the D.C. Open. She beat Anna Kalinskaya in the final like it was light work—6-1, 6-2. But it’s what led up to that moment that makes this win so special.
Leylah didn’t just win a tennis tournament. She reminded the world who she is.
No Shortcuts. Just Heart.
Let’s back it up. The day before the final, she played one of the longest and wildest matches of the year—over three hours in the D.C. heat against Elena Rybakina. She was cramping. She could barely stand at times. But she didn’t back down. She didn’t flinch. She just kept swinging.
Even before that, she had already knocked out world No. 5 Jessica Pegula. That’s two top players—gone. And Leylah? Still standing. Still smiling.
Shake Shack, Sweat, and Staying Grounded
When asked how she recovered so fast for the final, she laughed and said she had Shake Shack the night before. A burger and fries. “It brought me happiness,” she said.
You get the sense she’s not just playing tennis—she’s finally enjoying it again.
If You Know, You Know
Leylah’s not your typical tennis story. She never has been. Here’s what most people don’t realize:
She’s trilingual—speaks Spanish, French, and English fluently.
She was cut from her tennis program in Quebec at seven years old for not being strong enough.
Her dad, Jorge, was a pro soccer player and learned tennis from scratch just to coach her.
Her mom, Irene, is Filipina, and at one point moved to California to work while the rest of the family stayed behind to support Leylah’s dream.
She traveled the world while finishing high school, literally taking exams in between matches.
She’s got a stuffed unicorn named “Corny” that goes with her everywhere. No shame in the comfort item game.
She’s lowkey hilarious on TikTok. Follow her!
She dreams of launching a foundation for youth sports access and studying business one day.
Her playlist bounces from Bad Bunny to BLACKPINK to Queen.
And she’s already worked with brands like Lululemon and Birchbox, making moves off the court too.
For those of you wondering, Leylah Fernandez is from Montreal, Quebec—born on September 6, 2002, and she’s a proud Canadian through and through.
Her father, Jorge Fernandez, originally hails from Ecuador, played semi-pro football, and now coaches Leylah and her sister on the tennis tour. Her mother, Irene Exevea, is Filipino Canadian, born in Toronto but raised by Filipino parents, making Leylah proudly Canadian of Ecuadorian‑Filipino heritage.
So in short: she’s Canadian-born and raised (Montreal but now training in Florida), but her cultural roots span Ecuador and the Philippines…a blend she treasures and proudly represents on and off the court
More Than a Trophy
Today’s win felt like a reset. After a few tough seasons, Leylah’s not just back…she’s back on her terms. The joy is real. The confidence is earned. The game? It’s only getting stronger.
And in true Gen Z fashion, she’s doing it without losing herself. Still showing love to her family. Still shouting out her mom and sister. Still carrying that unicorn.
What’s Next?
She’s heading home to Montreal to play the Canadian Open. And from there, the U.S. Open is right around the corner.
If you weren’t paying attention before, now’s the time.