Leylah Fernandez still had her radiant smile as a champion on Monday, when she met the media barely 10 a.m. after landing in Montreal. This title gleaned from Washington on Sunday put a balm on a difficult year on the short, but outside the field, too.
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If the Quebecer dedicated her first WTA 500 trophy, the most important of her career to date, to her mother and sister, it is notably because the two women have experienced health problems in the last months.
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“I don’t know if they would like me to say more, but they had a few surprises, and not good. There are visits to the hospital and it was difficult for me to play tennis with that in mind, “said Leylah, on the eve of his school year back to school.
“It was hard to disconnect,” continued the one who returned to the top 25 on Monday. But after Roland-Garros, and for my preparation for Wimbledon, we talked a lot. We decided that I was going to train a little less and find the pleasure of playing tennis. ”
Now, “they are very happy”, which has given “tranquility” to the original Lavalloise as part of the Washington tournament.
Ben Pelosse / JD
It seemed, let’s say! Fernandez presented himself in the American capital with the hope of taking some victories in his luggage for Montreal. Its suitcases ultimately undoubtedly exceeded the permitting weight limit.
“A little shit!”
On this hard surface like the one on which the omnium national bank is played, Leylah notably offered itself the favorite, the American Jessica Pegula, as well as the third seeded, the Kazakhe Elena Rybakina. Two arduous games, in three rounds, in which Fernandez hung on like the fighter we know.
Ben Pelosse / JD
She overcome cramps in her quarter -final against her friend, the American Taylor Townsend. She didn’t know how she could finish this match. But there too, she hung on, differently.
Before running in Washington, Fernandez, finalist at the US Open four years ago, former 13e Global, presented a file of 16 victories against 17 defeats this year. She was in search of a first title in two years, her record remained blocked three since her triumph in Hong Kong.
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“My first half of the year was a bit of ups and downs. More downs, in fact … it was a bit of shit! mentioned the Quebecer, who prefers to laugh now. It was a lot to learn. I learned a lot about myself, how to manage situations on the court, outside.
“But now everything is fine. We are happy! “
