Leylah Fernandez and Felix-Auger Aliassime crowned Player of the Year by Tennis Canada


Leylah Fernandez and Felix-Auger Aliassime crowned Player of the Year by Tennis Canada

Leylah Fernandez, Felix Auger-Aliassime

Young Canadian players, 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez and world No. 6 Felix Auger-Aliassime have been awarded the Tennis Canada Player of the Year awards in the women’s and men’s categories, respectively. Both Canadians have had a great 2022 season. While Felix helped Canda in winning the Davis Cup this year, Fernandez reached a career-high of 13 in August. 

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Felix started the 2022 season at the ATP Cup for Canada along with teammate Denis Shapovalov. After the tournament, the 22-year-old reached a new career-high of World No. 9 on 10 January 2022. At the group stage of the Davis Cup, Auger-Aliassime upset world no. 1 Carlos Alcaraz. Fernandez too had a good season as she defended her Monterrey Open title and reached the third round of the French Open.

In recognition of their achievements this year, Tennis Canada awarded them with the Player of the year award in the men’s and women’s categories. “Having led Team Canada to its first-ever Davis Cup title and with four ATP singles titles to his name, Félix is a well-deserving recipient in the men’s category,” said Michael Downey, president and CEO of Tennis Canada talking about Auger-Aliassime. 

“On the women’s side, Leylah has continued to showcase her skills and prove that she is one of the top talents on the WTA Tour,” Downey added while explaining why Fernandez deserved the award.

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Leylah Fernandez, Career highlights, major achievements 

Leylah Fernandez

2021 US Open finalist, Leylah Fernandez started her professional career in 2019. In July 2019, the 20-year-old won her first professional singles tennis title by defeating fellow Canadian Carson Branstine in the final of the Gatineau Challenger. In the Australian Open 2020, she made her debut at the Grand Slam singles where she lost in the first round. 

Fernandez’s first WTA title came in March 2021 at the Monterrey Open where she defeated Swiss player Viktorija Golubic in the final. The same year she reached the US Open final, her first Grand Slam final by defeating some big names like the Japanese defending champion, Naomi Osaka, and former world No. 1 and three-time major champion, Angelique Kerber among others. Eventually, she lost to the British Emma Raducanu.

In August this year, Fernandez reached her career-high ranking of 13. Currently, she is on the list of one of the most promising nest gen players that include Iga Swiatek, Emma Raducanu, and others that can redefine tennis in the coming years. 

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