Tennis fans recently showed concern over Leylah Fernandez’s relationship with her father after observing an unusual conversation during her quarterfinal appearance at the 2026 Internationaux de Strasbourg. The Canadian tennis player reached the quarterfinal round after besting Leolia Jeanjean and Magdalena Frech.
In the quarterfinal round, Victoria Mboko got the better of her and saw her off in straight sets 6-4, 6-4. However, what caught fans’ attention was her father Jorge’s approach towards her. One of the fans expressed their surprise with the way her father spoke and felt it was harsh and discouraging to compare the 23-year-old to her opponent.
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Mentioning Fernandez’s father’s comment, the fan expressed:
“I am shocked on how and what Leylah father talks to her, It is insane. In the middle of the match between sets he says to her: “this girl you are playing, is a top 10 player, super solid, made quarterfinal of a Slam, something you never did.” Seriously, what is this?!”
One of the fans highlighted the Canadian advancing to the 2021 US Open final and suggested that she should get him banned.
“Omg that’s what he was saying?? mind you she’s made a slam final. Leylah get him banned!”
Another fan chimed in:
“Ban parents from tour.”
Here are a few more reactions:
“At the very end he actually says, “something you’ve never done in 4 years”and she made QF at RG in 2022..”
“If only she had a real coach. Dads are the worst. It works on very few occasions.”
“I was sick to my stomach Leylah look so unhappy sorry for her.”
Leylah Fernandez’s father, Jorge, has been a professional soccer player in South America. He has been the Canadian tennis player’s from the start of her career.
Leylah Fernandez gears up for the 2026 French Open Tournament
Following her quarterfinal exit at the Internationaux de Strasbourg, Leylah Fernandez is all set to compete at the 2026 French Open. The Canadian tennis player will take on Alycia Parks in the first round, which will be held on Monday, 25, 2026. They both will compete for the third time on the WTA Tour, with a 1-1 head-to-head score at the moment.
Fernandez’s best result at the Clay-court Grand Slam Tournament was reaching the quarterfinal round in 2022, which she advanced after beating the likes of Katerina Siniakova, Belinda Bencic, and Amanda Anisimova. Fernandez was outplayed by Italy’s Martina Trevisan in three sets.
Edited by Janhavi Shinde