Leylah Annie Fernandez’s up-and-down season has taught her the virtues of patience as Canada prepares to take part in the Billie Jean King Cup finals.
“I just hope the results come quickly,” Fernandez said of her game. “But the reality is I have to be patient. You must first endure many defeats, experience dark moments so that those which are pleasant are even more pleasant. »
Her first title this season on the WTA circuit was acquired at the Hong Kong Open last month. And his recent successes have allowed him to be optimistic heading into the 12-team competition this week in Spain.
The 21-year-old from Laval will headline the Canadian team, which will also include Montrealer Eugenie Bouchard, two-time all-star Gabriela Dabrowski of Ottawa, Rebecca Marino of Vancouver and Marina Stakusic of Mississauga, in Ontario.
The competition will get underway on Tuesday at the Estadio la Cartuja. Canada opens its group stage against host Spain on Wednesday before facing Poland on Thursday.
The winning countries from each of the four groups will advance to the semi-finals. The final of this competition, whose total prize pool will reach US9.6 million, will be presented on Sunday.
Fernandez, who enters this competition with an 11-3 record in seven appearances, has had difficulty stringing together victories during the first eight months of the year. The 2021 U.S. Open finalist had to undergo WTA tournament qualifying on a few occasions and was often ousted in the early rounds – when she secured a place in the main draw.
Things started to pick up when she reached the round of 16 of the National Bank Open in August. Then, she reached the quarterfinals in Guadalajara, triumphed in Hong Kong and found herself in the final four at the Jiangxi Open.
“I am extremely satisfied with the way I concluded my year,” Fernandez admitted Monday in Seville. It was difficult in 2023. I was very disappointed with my performance, but I learned many lessons. »
Canada will be without 2019 U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu, who is dealing with a back injury. Marina, 166e in the world, and Bouchard, currently 266eare expected to play singles during this competition.
“I truly believe that we have all the arsenal necessary to defeat the best countries in the world, and I can’t wait for us to demonstrate it,” said Canadian team captain Heidi el Tabakh.
The starting lineup for each duel will be revealed one hour before the start of activities.
“I think we can win,” Fernandez said. I sincerely believe in our team. »
Canada has never made it better than a semi-final berth in this competition, losing to Czechoslovakia in 1988.
The representatives of the maple leaf were unable to get out of the group stage last year in Glasgow. Switzerland defeated Australia in the final.
Spain will also host the Davis Cup finals from November 21 to 26 in Malaga. Canada is the defending champion of this men’s tennis team competition.
Quebecer Félix Auger-Aliassime is the headliner of the Canadian team, which will also include Montrealer Gabriel Diallo, Laval’s Alexis Galarneau, Ontarian Milos Raonic and British-Colombian Vasek Pospisil.
