Leylah: "I feel like my tennis is where it was in 2021"

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Still awaiting a great result that brings her back to the stage, Leylah Fernández shows the patience of someone who has the tennis to achieve it. This was the case at the 2021 US Open, where she made it to the final unexpectedly, although the perspective could not be more opposite. At 22 years old, the Canadian is working to seize the opportunity she has been seeking. When will it be? Perhaps this same week, at the WTA 500 in Abu Dhabi, where she has already reached the quarterfinals after defeating Moyuka Uchijima and Lulu Sun. Before facing the American Krueger this Thursday, her conversation with her WTA peers marks the progression from a girl to a woman.

"I am a bit loquacious when I talk about moments when I was much younger. I am aware that I am still very young, but three years ago I was very naive," compares the 27th in the rankings with her past self. "I was always excited about everything that happened to me; that excitement eventually brings adrenaline, and that adrenaline can sabotage your energy. After traveling a lot and continuing to play the same tournaments, now I get bored more easily. This is something I have been working on with my team, so I really appreciate that they are willing to go further with all of my antics," she says, making a clear reference to her father and coach, Jorge.

"I entered the circuit very quickly; the truth is that I arrived very soon," acknowledges the 22-year-old tennis player. "I remember that before that famous US Open, there was a lot of pressure, but nothing compared to what exists now. It has been a really difficult journey; I still have goals and ambitions that drive me daily, so when I don't achieve those goals, I get angry with myself. Unfortunately, I also get angry with my team. My father knows how much these things frustrate me, but he always knows how to calm me down. He helps me focus my energy on the court, so having him in my corner helps me a lot," underlines the Montreal native.

SEEKING HER BEST VERSION

What should never be missing in an interview with someone of such potential is the part where goals are touched upon, at least those that fall under the medium-term. We know how hard it is to be completely honest when faced with a question always looking for a headline, so Leylah seems content aiming to reach the same level of tennis she showed four seasons ago, the one that led her to be a finalist in a Grand Slam. Fortunately for her and the rest of her team, this challenge seems closer than ever today.

"As with every season, the intention is to continue building my career, trying to undo the past. We don't want to focus too much on that, so when the season ends, there will be time to sit down and have a conversation about it, but you can't think too much about the past now, but rather about what you have in your hands at the moment. Today, I see myself at a good level, although I also notice that all players improve every year. I believe my tennis is back to where it was in 2021, so we will aim to improve a little more to have a certain advantage," concludes Leylah.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Leylah: “Siento que mi tenis está donde estaba en 2021”