BNP PARIBAS OPEN

October 12, 2021

Leylah Fernandez

Press Conference

S. ROGERS/L. Fernandez

2-6, 6-1, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Can you walk us through your thoughts around your match earlier today.

LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: Well, it wasn't my best match. We played some good points, good rallies. Shelby took advantage of a few mistakes that I did. I just did some mistakes on key moments that I shouldn't have done, and that happened.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What does all the success you've had the past year mean to you and were you surprised by your results?

LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: Well, no, I'm very grateful for what has happened this year, especially this past month. I've been working very hard the past couple of years trying to get used to the WTA Tour, getting the experience, getting the matches in. Every time I get on the practice court I try to find a way to improve something. I'm glad that the past month it's been going well for me.

I'm not that surprised the results have been coming in. But now it's time to regroup, forget about the past and get ready for the next tournament.

Q. What do you feel changed in the second set that allowed Shelby to turn things her favor?

LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: I just think I made one too many mistakes on key moments, and she didn't. She started putting the balls in, and I started putting the balls out. That's pretty much the story of the second set.

Q. You have high standards even before the US Open. Did that run change the expectations, how you view results like this?

LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: No, no. I always see myself as a tennis player even before the US Open. I still, like I said, got a lot to prove, a lot to do on the tennis court. I'm always hungry to get the results, to train harder and to work harder for the next time.

Q. Your plans for the rest of the season, is there going to be anything besides Fed Cup? Are you definitely going to Fed Cup?

LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: Well, up to now there's nothing going on in my plans. We were going to have a meeting actually later tonight to see what I'm going to do. Representing Canada is an honor. We'll see. We'll see what's to come next.

Q. If you look back at your first performance since the US Open, how would you assess it?

LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: I think I've been adapting pretty well. It's been good. It's good that I have a good team around me. My coaches, my dad especially, he's been the same. He's always pushing me. I'm always pushing myself.

We always try to get on the tennis court, adapt as fast as possible here in Indian Wells, especially with all that's happening outside the court, and just focus on tennis, not let everything overwhelm me.

Q. The last answer about Billie Jean King Cup, the rest of the season --

LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: Sorry, I can't hear you too well.

Q. Your previous answer about Billie Jean King Cup, the rest of the season, was a little: I'm not sure yet. Is it fair to say that you, along with many others, have found this season with all of the challenges very long and everybody is on fumes now in mid October?

LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: Yeah, it's been a long season. It's different this season compared to the other seasons. There's the bubbles, the quarantine, the testing. We all have to adapt. I think every player is excited to go back home, regroup, see what's to come next.

Like I said, we're just going to see what the body says, what the mind says, and we'll go from there.

Q. Maybe lie on the beach for a week and not think about anything at all?

LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: Yeah, maybe. We never know.

Like I said, we're going to have a meeting later tonight or tomorrow to see what we feel, what my coaches have seen, and we'll see what's to come.

Q. What does the Canadian support mean to you?

LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: It means a lot actually. I'm very proud representing Canada in any tournament. I see the Canadian flag beside my name, it's always an honor. I want to represent them with the best version of myself.

Canada has given us as a family so much. We're just so grateful to have the opportunities that we have now. Hearing them cheer my name, hearing them encourage me in the toughest times always gives me motivation to keep going and always keep that smile on my face and have fun on the court.

Q. Would you say that's one of the key lessons you learned, embracing the experience of big crowds behind you?

LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: Yes, definitely. When I was younger I always imagined myself playing in a big crowd, but I never knew how I would react knowing how I am off the court, how I was growing up.

The way that I reacted in New York, the way that I was reacting here in Indian Wells, using their energy, having fun on the court, kind of let's say a little bit interacting with the crowd, too, with my tennis. It has definitely surprised me as a person, has definitely helped me and my tennis game to go for it, to just trust my game.