Leylah Fernandez will have big plans for her 2026 season on the WTA Tour, which she has already got underway.

Fernandez lost her opening match at the Brisbane International, where the 13th seed was beaten by Dayana Yastremska.

The Canadian, who lost 6-1, 6-2, now turns her focus to the Adelaide International, where she will play both singles and doubles.

Fernandez will play against Diana Shnaider in the former, while she and Timea Babos will take on Sofia Kenin and Laura Siegemund in the latter.

Leylah Fernandez would ‘100%’ play football if she didn’t play tennis

Ahead of the tournament, the 2021 US Open runner-up shared insight into her personal life by answering various questions on her Instagram.

One question focused on her career if she wasn’t a tennis player, to which the Canadian said: “100% I’d be a soccer/futbol player.”

Leylah Fernandez reveals her heritage ahead of the Australian Open

Fernandez also shared her background in another answer, explaining: “I am Canadian. I was born in Montreal, Canada, speak French and English.

“My mom was born in Toronto, Canada, and my grandparents are from the Philippines. My dad was born in Ecuador and that is why I speak Spanish.”

Fernandez is evidently a keen football fan, but it’s clear she made the right decision by moving into tennis.

The 23-year-old boasts five career titles on the WTA Tour, and once reached as high as number 13 in the world rankings.

Her only Grand Slam final appearance came at the US Open back in 2021, when she lost out to Emma Raducanu.

She’s also experienced Grand Slam doubles heartache, having lost the 2023 French Open doubles final playing with Taylor Townsend.

Fernandez is currently ranked 22nd on the WTA Tour, and she will be the 22nd seed at the upcoming Australian Open.

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