“It’s Time to Come Home. Thank You for Standing by Me. You Are the Best Fans in the World!” – Leylah Fernandez Announces Her Triumphant Exit on Her Own Terms

In a moment that left the tennis world both stunned and sentimental, Leylah Annie Fernandez, one of the most beloved Canadian tennis players of her generation, announced her retirement from professional tennis with a powerful and heartfelt message:

“It’s time to come home. Thank you for standing by me. You are the best fans in the world!”

With those emotionally charged words, the 22-year-old phenom closed a chapter on a career that, while brief, was bursting with brilliance, grit, and a passionate connection with fans across the globe.

Leylah’s announcement came just hours after her stirring performance at the Rogers Cup in Toronto, where she fought through pain to deliver one final vintage display of emotion, flair, and fight.

As tributes poured in from players, legends, and fans alike, many were left reflecting not only on her successes but on what she represented: heart, humility, and hope.

This article dives deep into Leylah Fernandez’s meteoric rise, the unforgettable US Open run that changed everything, her journey through injuries and triumphs, and why this moment—her “triumphant exit”—feels like the bittersweet ending of a modern tennis fairy tale.

From Montreal to the World Stage

Born in Montreal on September 6, 2002, to a Canadian mother of Filipino descent and an Ecuadorian father, Leylah Fernandez was raised in a multicultural household that deeply valued discipline, resilience, and ambition.

Her father, Jorge Fernandez, a former football player, would become her coach and fiercest advocate, guiding her through the unpredictable world of junior tennis.

Leylah’s breakthrough began early. At just 16, she made headlines by winning the 2019 French Open Girls’ Singles title.

She quickly transitioned to the professional circuit, drawing attention not just for her game, but for her maturity, confidence, and ability to stay calm in pressure-filled moments.

By 2020, she had cracked the top 100 and was beginning to assert herself as one of the sport’s brightest young stars. But no one could have predicted what was coming next.

The Magical Run of 2021

The world truly got to know Leylah Fernandez during the 2021 US Open, a tournament that saw her rise from an unseeded teenager to a global sensation.

Round after round, Fernandez toppled giants of the game. She beat Naomi Osaka, the defending champion and World No. 3, in an electric three-set battle under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Then came wins over Angelique Kerber, Elina Svitolina, and Aryna Sabalenka—each victory more stunning than the last.

Her run to the final, just days after turning 19, was marked not only by high-quality tennis but by the emotional connection she formed with the New York crowd.

With every fist pump, every “come on,” every tearful wave to the stands, she brought the audience along for the ride.

Though she ultimately fell to Emma Raducanu in the final, Fernandez’s spirit and sportsmanship in defeat only cemented her reputation as one of tennis’s most admirable figures.

Her speech after the loss—thanking New York for its support, and dedicating her effort to the victims of 9/11 on the tournament’s 20th anniversary—showed wisdom and grace far beyond her years.

The Challenges That Followed

After such a meteoric rise, expectations inevitably grew. Fernandez quickly found herself thrust into the spotlight, hailed as the next big thing not just in Canadian tennis, but globally.

And while she remained a fan favorite, the years following her US Open success brought their share of challenges.

Injuries, including a stress fracture in her foot during the 2022 French Open, forced her to miss crucial parts of the season. The road back was grueling.

Her ranking fluctuated, her form came in patches, and the burden of expectations—both internal and external—weighed heavily.

Yet, through it all, Fernandez remained candid, never making excuses and always pushing forward.

She continued to work with her father, resisting the trend of hiring high-profile coaches. For Leylah, tennis was not just a career—it was a family mission.

The tight-knit bond with her team, especially her sister Bianca, who also pursued a professional tennis career, became a pillar of strength.

Even during the lean stretches, her popularity never wavered. Fans continued to show up, chant her name, and draw inspiration from her resilience.

Finding Her Way Back

2023 and early 2024 marked a return to form for Fernandez. She reached the final in Hong Kong, won doubles titles, and notched notable victories over Top 20 opponents.

Her performances in the Billie Jean King Cup helped guide Team Canada to an historic win, with Leylah going undefeated in singles and doubles play—a reminder of her ability to deliver on the big stage.

That triumph marked a turning point. While it reignited her competitive fire, it also gave her a sense of closure.

As Fernandez would later reveal in her farewell press conference:

“Winning for Canada, with my teammates, with the maple leaf on my chest—that made me feel complete. That was the moment I realized I had done everything I dreamed of.”

The Final Bow in Toronto

Her last tournament appearance—Toronto’s Rogers Cup in front of a sold-out home crowd—was a fitting finale. It wasn’t about titles or rankings. It was about connection.

After a hard-fought second-round win, Fernandez took a long lap around the court, waving to fans with tears in her eyes.

She blew kisses, signed autographs, and knelt at the baseline, soaking in the moment.

The next morning, she released a simple, poignant message on her social platforms:

“It’s time to come home. Thank you for standing by me. You are the best fans in the world.”

In her farewell letter, she elaborated:

“I gave everything I had to this sport. Every heartbeat, every tear, every victory, and every heartbreak.

Now it’s time to give that energy to the next chapter—to my family, to my passions outside the court, and to myself. I walk away with no regrets, only gratitude.”

Tributes from the Tennis World

As news of her retirement spread, tributes came pouring in from every corner of the tennis world.

• Bianca Andreescu, her fellow Canadian and US Open champion, wrote: “Leylah, you made us believe. You carried Canada with pride, and you made history. Thank you for being an inspiration to so many.”
• Billie Jean King tweeted: “Leylah Fernandez reminded us that courage and compassion can exist in the same player. What a gift she’s been to the sport.”
• Naomi Osaka, who shared that legendary US Open battle, posted on Instagram: “You brought your whole soul to every match. That’s rare. I’m proud of what you’ve done and who you are.”

A Fanbase Like No Other

Leylah’s fanbase was as unique as the player herself. Unlike many athletes whose support is regional or stylistic, Fernandez drew fans of all ages, backgrounds, and nationalities.

For Canadian tennis fans, she was a symbol of multicultural pride.

For young girls, especially those of Filipino and Latin American descent, she was a trailblazer.

For tennis purists, she brought back the joy of watching someone who loved the game with childlike wonder.

Her interactions with fans were always deeply personal—taking time for selfies, sending video replies on social media, and even mentoring young players.

In her retirement message, she acknowledged them directly:

“To my fans—you lifted me when I was down. You never gave up on me, even when I doubted myself. You are the reason I kept going.”

What’s Next for Leylah?

While she may be retiring from professional play, Fernandez has no intention of leaving tennis entirely.

Sources close to her team suggest she will transition into mentorship and development roles, especially focused on underrepresented communities in tennis.

She’s already launched the “LAF Foundation”, dedicated to providing equipment, coaching, and scholarships to aspiring players in Canada and Latin America.

Her mission? “To open doors that were once closed to people like me.”

There’s also talk of a memoir in the works and even potential for commentary and broadcasting roles.

With her eloquence, warmth, and insight, she’d be a natural fit.

A Career Worth Celebrating

It’s easy to look at the metrics—two WTA singles titles, Top 15 career-high ranking, Grand Slam finalist, BJK Cup champion—and be impressed.

But the numbers barely scratch the surface of Leylah Fernandez’s true impact.

She showed the world that you don’t need to be six feet tall to hit big.

That you don’t have to be stone-faced to be fierce. That you can be small in stature but gigantic in heart.

She was the spark that lit up stadiums. The fighter who played every point like it was her last.

The girl who stood tall against giants and made them work for every inch.

Final Thoughts: A Farewell, Not a Goodbye

Leylah Fernandez’s exit may feel premature, but in many ways, it’s emblematic of her entire career—unexpected, graceful, and full of emotion.

She leaves behind a trail of memories: that upset over Osaka, the tears of New York, the pride of Billie Jean King Cup glory, and now, the tearful goodbye in Toronto.

But she also leaves behind something more enduring—a belief that tennis can be played not just with power, but with heart.

Not just for glory, but for love. Not just to win, but to uplift.

As she walks away from the court and into a life of new possibilities, one thing is certain: Leylah Fernandez gave everything. And for that, the world is grateful.