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National Post
2 minutes ago
- National Post
Leylah Fernandez rips tournament organizers after crashing out of NBO
MONTREAL — Leylah Fernandez has a bone to pick with tournament organizers. Article content Not only did she exit the court crushed by her lacklustre performance before a hometown crowd — tears still running down her cheeks more than 90 minutes after the match — Fernandez also blamed unfavourable scheduling that set her up to fail. Article content Article content The top-ranked Canadian crashed out of the National Bank Open's first round with a lopsided 6-4, 6-1 loss to Australia's Maya Joint on Tuesday afternoon, two days after hoisting her fourth WTA crown at the D.C. Open. Article content Fernandez said she received 'a lot of promises' that she would take the court during Tuesday's night session, giving her more time to rest between the two tournaments, but learned Sunday while travelling to Montreal from Washington that wouldn't be the case. Article content 'I did not receive that,' she said. 'That hurt me because I was very looking forward to be playing at night, but I guess it's a little bit political issues at that point.' Article content Valerie Tetreault, the National Bank Open tournament director in Montreal, responded that she promised Fernandez she would 'fight so that she could have the time she wanted.' Article content 'But I didn't win my fight,' Tetreault said, noting that the WTA Tour determines scheduling. 'I received the request for her to play in the evening. It's my role to have conversations with the WTA, so I pushed as much as possible for her to have what she wanted.' Article content Tetreault added that exceptions had already been made for Fernandez. The 22-year-old from Laval, Que., and Joint were among the final three first-round matches held until Tuesday, despite her half of the bracket starting play on Sunday. Article content Article content Fellow D.C. Open finalist Anna Kalinskaya of Russia was also scheduled to play no earlier than 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, but she won her match 7-6 (6), 0-6, 6-3 over Ann Li of the United States. Article content 'Normally when we have matches that are delayed, when there is catch-up to do, we have to play them as early as possible during the day,' Tetreault said. 'We pushed her at least so that it wouldn't be the first match at 11 a.m. to give her a chance to recover.' Article content Tennis Canada backed up Tetreault's words in a statement. Article content 'WTA protocols mean first-round matches need to be completed before second-round matches are played, ensuring fairness to all players,' the statement read. 'Given Leylah won the title in Washington on Sunday, she was not able to arrive in Montreal until the early hours of Monday morning. As a result, the WTA made the decision to play her opening match in the latest possible first-round slot.'
Toronto Sun
2 minutes ago
- Toronto Sun
Leylah Fernandez rips tournament organizers after crashing out of NBO
Published Jul 29, 2025 • 5 minute read Leylah Fernandez walks off court following her first round match loss to Maya Joint at the National Bank Open in Montreal, Tuesday, July 29, 2025. Photo by Graham Hughes / THE CANADIAN PRESS MONTREAL — Leylah Fernandez has a bone to pick with tournament organizers. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Not only did she exit the court crushed by her lacklustre performance before a hometown crowd — tears still running down her cheeks more than 90 minutes after the match — Fernandez also blamed unfavourable scheduling that set her up to fail. The top-ranked Canadian crashed out of the National Bank Open's first round with a lopsided 6-4, 6-1 loss to Australia's Maya Joint on Tuesday afternoon, two days after hoisting her fourth WTA crown at the D.C. Open. Fernandez said she received 'a lot of promises' that she would take the court during Tuesday's night session, giving her more time to rest between the two tournaments, but learned Sunday while travelling to Montreal from Washington that wouldn't be the case. 'I did not receive that,' she said. 'That hurt me because I was very looking forward to be playing at night, but I guess it's a little bit political issues at that point.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Valerie Tetreault, the National Bank Open tournament director in Montreal, responded that she promised Fernandez she would 'fight so that she could have the time she wanted.' 'But I didn't win my fight,' Tetreault said, noting that the WTA Tour determines scheduling. 'I received the request for her to play in the evening. It's my role to have conversations with the WTA, so I pushed as much as possible for her to have what she wanted.' Tetreault added that exceptions had already been made for Fernandez. The 22-year-old from Laval, Que., and Joint were among the final three first-round matches held until Tuesday, despite her half of the bracket starting play on Sunday. Fellow D.C. Open finalist Anna Kalinskaya of Russia was also scheduled to play no earlier than 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, but she won her match 7-6 (6), 0-6, 6-3 over Ann Li of the United States. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Normally when we have matches that are delayed, when there is catch-up to do, we have to play them as early as possible during the day,' Tetreault said. 'We pushed her at least so that it wouldn't be the first match at 11 a.m. to give her a chance to recover.' Tennis Canada backed up Tetreault's words in a statement. 'WTA protocols mean first-round matches need to be completed before second-round matches are played, ensuring fairness to all players,' the statement read. 'Given Leylah won the title in Washington on Sunday, she was not able to arrive in Montreal until the early hours of Monday morning. As a result, the WTA made the decision to play her opening match in the latest possible first-round slot.' Fernandez had previously detailed a whirlwind turnaround after her victory Sunday in Washington. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The 2021 U.S. Open finalist arrived back home in Montreal at roughly 2 a.m. Monday and slept about three hours before attending an event for her foundation at IGA Stadium around 8 a.m. later that morning. The fatigue certainly showed on the court. 'It felt great being on court, hearing the fans and feeling their support. I was just disappointed with my level of play, and it wasn't fair for them,' the No. 24-ranked Fernandez said. 'It was a very, very low level.' Fernandez gave up six break points and won only 49 per cent of her points on first serve. The 19-year-old Joint, ranked 45th, won 62 of 109 points to win the match in 75 minutes. Fernandez fell down 2-0, double-faulting twice to drop her first service game. In a 5-2 hole, Fernandez saved a set point and battled back to make it 5-4, but failed to hold serve once again. Joint rolled to a 4-0 lead in the second and hardly looked back. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Canadian also took issue with the WTA's tone when it revealed the scheduling to her coach — and father — Jorge Fernandez. 'They asked him with a sarcastic tone if two or three hours would make a difference,' she said. 'Yes, it would make a great difference. Maybe I win the match, maybe I don't, but of course it helps the two to three hours where I could sleep a little more. 'Physical recovery, maybe a stretching session, a massage could help me. But it's just small things of 'What if,' but it didn't happen and that's it.' This year's National Bank Open — a WTA 1000-level tournament — debuted a revamped 12-day, 96-player format, with the top 32 seeds receiving byes to the second round. Tetreault said she foresaw potential problems arising from her tournament's main draw beginning the same day as the WTA 500 final in Washington. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The calendar is supposed to be made so that the 1000-level tournaments are prioritized over a WTA 500,' she said. 'We'll have to go back to the drawing table.' Fernandez was only one story on a less-than-ideal day for Canadians, as Bianca Andreescu of Mississauga, Ont., and Vancouver's Rebecca Marino also exited the tournament. Andreescu withdrew with a left ankle injury, sustaining the ailment on match point of her first-round win Sunday night versus Barbora Krejcikova of Czechia. Marino, meanwhile, fell 6-1, 6-2 to eighth seed Emma Navarro of the United States in second-round action. The 25-year-old Andreescu said she tore ligaments in her ankle but wouldn't rule out a return to the court at the Cincinnati Open, which begins in just over a week. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The former world No. 4 has repeatedly spent time off the court with back, shoulder, knee, ankle and foot injuries. 'I even screamed out like, 'Why does this keep happening to me?'' she said. 'At this point, it's laughable. It's just crazy. I'm trying to stay positive but it's getting really tough.' Toronto's Victoria Mboko and Eugenie Bouchard, who extended her career Monday night with a first-round win over Colombia's Emiliana Arango, were the only Canadians remaining in the women's singles bracket. Mboko took on No. 23 seed Sofia Kenin of the United States in the late match, after No. 1 seed Coco Gauff opened her tournament with a second-round meeting against fellow American Danielle Collins in Fernandez's desired slot. 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Globe and Mail
5 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Canada's Leylah Fernandez rips tournament organizers after crashing out of NBO
Leylah Fernandez has a bone to pick with tournament organizers. Not only did she exit the court crushed by her lacklustre performance before a hometown crowd – tears still running down her cheeks more than 90 minutes after the match – Fernandez also blamed unfavourable scheduling that set her up to fail. The top-ranked Canadian crashed out of the National Bank Open's first round with a lopsided 6-4, 6-1 loss to Australia's Maya Joint on Tuesday afternoon, two days after hoisting her fourth WTA crown at the D.C. Open. Fernandez said she received 'a lot of promises' that she would take the court during Tuesday's night session, giving her more time to rest between the two tournaments, but learned Sunday while travelling to Montreal from Washington that wouldn't be the case. 'I did not receive that,' she said. 'That hurt me because I was very looking forward to be playing at night, but I guess it's a little bit political issues at that point.' Valérie Tétreault, the National Bank Open tournament director in Montreal, responded that she promised Fernandez she would 'fight so that she could have the time she wanted.' 'But I didn't win my fight,' Tétreault said, noting that the WTA Tour determines scheduling. 'I received the request for her to play in the evening. It's my role to have conversations with the WTA, so I pushed as much as possible for her to have what she wanted.' Eugenie Bouchard extends her career with NBO win Tétreault added that exceptions had already been made for Fernandez. The 22-year-old from Laval, Que., and Joint were among the final three first-round matches held until Tuesday, despite her half of the bracket starting play on Sunday. Fellow D.C. Open finalist Anna Kalinskaya of Russia was also scheduled to play no earlier than 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, but she won her match 7-6 (6), 0-6, 6-3 over Ann Li of the United States. 'Normally when we have matches that are delayed, when there is catch-up to do, we have to play them as early as possible during the day,' Tétreault said. 'We pushed her at least so that it wouldn't be the first match at 11 a.m. to give her a chance to recover.' Tennis Canada backed up Tétreault's words in a statement. 'WTA protocols mean first-round matches need to be completed before second-round matches are played, ensuring fairness to all players,' the statement read. 'Given Leylah won the title in Washington on Sunday, she was not able to arrive in Montreal until the early hours of Monday morning. As a result, the WTA made the decision to play her opening match in the latest possible first-round slot.' Fernandez had previously detailed a whirlwind turnaround after her victory Sunday in Washington. The 2021 U.S. Open finalist arrived back home in Montreal at roughly 2 a.m. Monday and slept about three hours before attending an event for her foundation at IGA Stadium around 8 a.m. later that morning. The fatigue certainly showed on the court. 'It felt great being on court, hearing the fans and feeling their support. I was just disappointed with my level of play, and it wasn't fair for them,' the No. 24-ranked Fernandez said. 'It was a very, very low level.' Fernandez gave up six break points and won only 49 per cent of her points on first serve. The 19-year-old Joint, ranked 45th, won 62 of 109 points to win the match in 75 minutes. Fernandez fell down 2-0, double-faulting twice to drop her first service game. In a 5-2 hole, Fernandez saved a set point and battled back to make it 5-4, but failed to hold serve once again. Joint rolled to a 4-0 lead in the second and hardly looked back. The Canadian also took issue with the WTA's tone when it revealed the scheduling to her coach – and father – Jorge Fernandez. 'They asked him with a sarcastic tone if two or three hours would make a difference,' she said. 'Yes, it would make a great difference. Maybe I win the match, maybe I don't, but of course it helps the two to three hours where I could sleep a little more. 'Physical recovery, maybe a stretching session, a massage could help me. But it's just small things of 'What if,' but it didn't happen and that's it.' This year's National Bank Open – a WTA 1000-level tournament – debuted a revamped 12-day, 96-player format, with the top 32 seeds receiving byes to the second round. Tétreault said she foresaw potential problems arising from her tournament's main draw beginning the same day as the WTA 500 final in Washington. 'The calendar is supposed to be made so that the 1000-level tournaments are prioritized over a WTA 500,' she said. 'We'll have to go back to the drawing table.' Fernandez was only one story on a less-than-ideal day for Canadians, as Bianca Andreescu of Mississauga, Ont., and Vancouver's Rebecca Marino also exited the tournament. Andreescu withdrew with a left ankle injury, sustaining the ailment on match point of her first-round win Sunday night versus Barbora Krejcikova of Czechia. Marino, meanwhile, fell 6-1, 6-2 to eighth seed Emma Navarro of the United States in second-round action. The 25-year-old Andreescu said she tore ligaments in her ankle but wouldn't rule out a return to the court at the Cincinnati Open, which begins in just over a week. The former world No. 4 has repeatedly spent time off the court with back, shoulder, knee, ankle and foot injuries. 'I even screamed out like, 'Why does this keep happening to me?'' she said. 'At this point, it's laughable. It's just crazy. I'm trying to stay positive but it's getting really tough.' Toronto's Victoria Mboko and Eugenie Bouchard, who extended her career Monday night with a first-round win over Colombia's Emiliana Arango, were the only Canadians remaining in the women's singles bracket. Mboko took on No. 23 seed Sofia Kenin of the United States in the late match, after No. 1 seed Coco Gauff opened her tournament with a second-round meeting against fellow American Danielle Collins in Fernandez's desired slot.
