US Open loss will make me want to work harder and stronger: Leylah Fernandez

Canada’s Leylah Fernandez feels the US Open loss will make her want to work harder and stronger for the next tournaments. The 19-year old, who had an inspiring run through to the final of the US Open, was beaten by qualifier Emma Raducanu by 4-6, 3-6 in the final.

Fernandez had a dream run in the US Open as she defeated the defending US Open champion Naomi Osaka in the third round. Subsequently, she also got the better of second-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and fifth-ranked Elina Svitolina as well as three-time Slam winner Angelique Kerber.

“It definitely stings,” Fernandez said. “But it will just make me want to work harder and stronger, just come back to every tournament with the same hunger I came into this tournament.”

Fernandez was placed at 73rd place before the US Open and now she will climb to career-best ranking to 27th position. The prodigy youngster added that this US Open run will not change her life in a big way.

“I don’t think it will change my life that much,” she said. “I’m very lucky to have a great support team and a great family to keep me grounded. “This loss, I’m going to carry it for a very long time. I think it will motivate me to do better in training, better for the next opportunity I get.”

Fernandez noticed that she was playing better when she had the crowd on her side.

“I’ve improved a lot not only tennis-wise but emotionally and mentally,” she said. “One thing that really surprised me was that the more I’m more outgoing on the court and try to get the crowd involved, the more I’m playing well. “I’m glad I’ve discovered that of myself.”

Furthermore, the Canadian feels the most important lesson that she learned during her run at the US Open was how to recover between the matches. There is one day gap for every player who wins and it is not easy to keep playing at one’s top-level during the Grand slams.

“I think the most important lesson I’ve learned is how to recuperate after so many great wins in a row,” she said. “After every win, I was so happy, so excited. I just wanted to go back on the court and play again.