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Leylah Fernandez has played some of the best tennis of her career at the end of the 2026 WTA season. The Canadian star secured the Singapore Tennis Open title following the US Open and reached two additional finals in Ningbo and Tokyo, placing her 18th in the WTA rankings.
Kim Clijsters Praises Fernandez’s Competitive Spirit
Former world number one and multiple Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters shared her thoughts on Fernandez during an episode of the ‘Love All’ podcast, highlighting the qualities that make the 24-year-old a difficult opponent. Clijsters praised her competitive mindset, noting how fiercely she competes for every shot just as she did when contending for a Grand Slam title years ago.
Clijsters described Fernandez’s tenacity on the court by comparing her fighting spirit to a persistent competitor who capitalizes immediately if an opponent’s level drops. She also pointed out tactical improvements, noting that Fernandez has adjusted her positioning by stepping closer to the baseline—a demanding adjustment requiring exceptional speed and fitness on every stroke.
Assessing Fernandez’s Power and Past Matches
Reflecting on an exhibition match she played against Fernandez in Orlando, Florida, in 2022, where Clijsters won 7-5, the tennis legend identified areas where the Canadian still faces challenges. Clijsters observed that Fernandez occasionally lacks the sheer power needed to dominate a rally outright, often relying on consistent pacing.
Clijsters explained that because Fernandez misses a bit of extra pace on follow-up shots after the serve to pressure opponents, she has to work exceptionally hard to secure her match victories. Following her strong end-of-year run, Fernandez withdrew from a final planned tournament in Hong Kong earlier in the week.
Grand Slam Struggles and Future Outlook
Fernandez first captured major attention by reaching the 2021 US Open final, where she was defeated by Great Britain’s Emma Raducanu, followed by a quarter-final appearance at Roland Garros the next year. However, she has since faced a prolonged slump at major tournaments, failing to reach the fourth round in her last 17 Grand Slam appearances.
During this stretch, Fernandez suffered six first-round exits, seven second-round losses, and four third-round defeats. Only time will tell if Fernandez can carry the momentum from her late-2026 results into the 2027 season and break her Grand Slam drought when the Australian Open commences on January 17.
