”It motivates me” says Leylah Fernandez ahead of first title defense

Leylah Fernandez is ready and motivated to defend her first WTA singles title this week at the Monterrey Open.

The Canadian star won the tournament as an unseeded player back in March 2021. She did so without dropping a set, beating Swiss qualifier Viktorija Golubic in the final 6-1 6-4 to claim her first ever WTA singles title.

One year later the 19 year-old is at a different stage of her career. She returns to Mexico as the reigning champion whilst also being a Grand Slam finalist, is ranked 21st in the world and is the second seed for this year’s tournament.

When interviewed by Mexico TV, she said, ”I am really happy to be back in Monterrey, it is a very special city for me. It is where I won my first title. I hope that I am able to defend my title and I hope that I will improve day by day and enjoy my experience on the court like the last few years.”

Leylah Fernandez was then asked if she felt pressured returning to Monterrey as a champion, she claimed, ”It motivates me as it is part of the sport and I hope I have more opportunities to defend a title. This is going to be my first tournament and I hope everything will be okay but right now I am not thinking about that, I am focusing on enjoying my tennis.”

Fernandez, who has not played any competitive tennis since being knocked out in the first round of the Australian Open in January, will play World number 88 Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in her opening match.

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