Leylah Annie Fernandez Looks to Make Dream a Reality in Toronto

Bianca Andreescu went from a fan to champion of the tournament. Victoria Mboko made her WTA breakthrough by hoisting last year’s trophy. Now, Leylah Annie Fernandez looks to achieve her dream of winning the title on home soil.

The Lavalloise has done plenty for Canadian tennis, representing her country at the Olympics twice and powering Canada to its first-ever Billie Jean King Cup triumph in 2023. The 23-year-old also made the 2021 US Open final and reached a career-high No. 13 in the WTA rankings the following season, but her ambition remains the National Bank Open title.

“It would probably be one of the biggest titles; best memory, best tournament,” Fernandez said in her pre-tournament press conference in Toronto on Aug. 1. “I always want to win a Grand Slam, be No. 1 in the world, but winning the NBO is a special occasion, where not many people and athletes can say that, they not only played their favourite sport, but get to play and win a title at home.”

This year, Fernandez is back where it all began. The Lavalloise made her WTA debut at 16 years old in Toronto in 2019. Then three years later, she notched her first National Bank Open win in the very same city. Fernandez now hopes that her seventh NBO appearance will be the lucky one, with help from the Canadian faithful.

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“I’m happy to be here in Toronto,” Fernandez said. “I get to see friends, family, and then also playing in front of a Canadian crowd always feels good. They always show up for the Canadian players.”

Fernandez’s best National Bank Open result was the third round in Montreal 2023, when she stunned 11^th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia to reach the round of 16. That could change as early as this year though, just take it from Venus Williams – Fernandez’s doubles partner at the 2025 US Open – who suggested that the Canuck has the potential to accomplish what she sets her mind to.

“I think there’s only upside in [Fernandez’s] career,” the seven-time Grand Slam champion said in her press conference on Aug. 1. “Any coach that helps her is going to enjoy the process because she works so hard, she’s a fighter.”

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Fernandez added Williams’ former coach Eric Hechtman to her team ahead of her Washington title defence, who coached the veteran from 2019-2023 and helped her reach multiple WTA 1000 quarter-finals. 

With the addition of Hechtman to her coaching staff, plus the boost from the home crowd at Sobeys Stadium, Fernandez’s dream may become a reality in Toronto as she begins her 2026 campaign on Wednesday night.

The WTA's best return to Toronto for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers Aug 1 to 13 at Sobeys Stadium. Get your tickets today!

Feature Photo : Morgan Givens/Wick Photography for National Bank Open