Leylah Fernandez has returned to the world’s prime 20 for the first time in more than 4 years, reaching a vital profession milestone just one day after revealing a heartbreaking household loss.
The Filipino-Canadian tennis star climbed 5 locations to No. 18 in the newest Women’s Tennis Association rankings launched Monday, Nov. 2, following her runner-up end at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.
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The achievement came under troublesome circumstances.
Fernandez revealed Sunday that her Filipino grandfather had died, breaking down in tears as she paid tribute to him during the trophy presentation after shedding to Diana Shnaider in the last.
Leylah Fernandez Returns to WTA Top 20 After Four Years
Fernandez’s outstanding late-season resurgence has propelled her back among the world’s elite gamers.
The 24-year-old now has 2,201 rating factors, rising from No. 23 last week.
It marks her highest rating since August 2022, when she reached a career-high No. 13.
Her newest breakthrough adopted consecutive WTA 500 last appearances in Ningbo, China, and Tokyo.
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Fernandez lost to world No. 1 Elena Rybakina in the Ningbo championship match before pushing Shnaider to three units in Tokyo.
She fell 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in Sunday’s last, ending a hard-fought match that lasted two hours and 18 minutes.
The Canadian had defeated Elise Mertens and Kamilla Rakhimova earlier in Tokyo while receiving a quarterfinal walkover against Rybakina.
Her rise also moved her forward of fellow Canadian Victoria Mboko, who slipped to No. 20.
Leylah Fernandez Pays Emotional Tribute to Late Grandfather
The significance of Fernandez’s efficiency went beyond tennis.
During Sunday’s trophy ceremony, Fernandez struggled to include her feelings while thanking her household following the death of her grandfather.
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“We had some bad news today but thank you so much for all the support, all the messages, it really means a lot,” Fernandez said.
She then addressed her grandfather immediately, utilizing the Filipino phrase “Lolo.”
“Lolo, I know you are looking down on us so thank you for always being strong and supporting us. I know you are going to take care of us from above, so thank you.”
The second provided a glimpse into the emotional weight Fernandez carried all through the championship match.
She later defined that reminiscences of her grandfather helped her battle back after falling behind 4-0 in the second set.
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“I was also thinking a little bit about my grandfather, trying to use his strength to give me just a little bit more strength to keep going and fighting,” Fernandez said.
Although she finally fell short of the title, her willpower resonated beyond the last rating.
Fernandez Completes Remarkable Late-Season Turnaround
Fernandez’s return to the prime 20 caps an spectacular stretch on the Asian hardcourt circuit.
She captured her first title of the season at the Singapore Open in September, incomes the sixth WTA singles championship of her profession.
She adopted that triumph with runner-up finishes in Ningbo and Tokyo, reaching three finals in a little more than a month.
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The resurgence has helped Fernandez get well from a season in which she dropped outside the world’s prime 30.
With 2027 approaching, the former US Open finalist has put herself in a stronger place for event seedings and another push toward her career-best rating.
But her newest achievement carries a more personal that means.
One day after honoring her grandfather through tears, Fernandez reached a rankings milestone that displays both her distinctive latest kind and her perseverance through a troublesome second.
This article was initially printed on HEAVY
The post Leylah Fernandez Climbs to Highest WTA Ranking in 4 Years After Heartbreaking Family Loss appeared first on HEAVY.
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