A few days ago, Leylah Fernandez surprised many by publicly offering to go on a date in Montréal. In light of this announcement, she recently shared the story behind her decision.
Fernandez is currently in Washington, D.C., competing at the 2025 Citi DC Open. She made the proposal to go on a date just before starting her home tournament, the Canadian Open.
Leylah Fernandez Opened Up About Extending Dating Offer To Go on a Date on Social Media
In a video posted on social media, Fernandez expressed her desire to go on a date when she is in Montréal for the 2025 Canadian Open. She clarified that she was looking for just one date that would last one hour.
“In Montréal, I would like to go on a date. You know what I really want to do and that I haven’t done is going on a date. I am not a big fan of dating apps. So, I actually am gonna do things my way. I am gonna go on one date for one hour in Montréal. If you wanna be my date, DM me, let me know about yourself. See you there!” Fernandez said.
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In a recent interview with Tennis.com, Fernandez explained the inspiration behind her social media offer. She recounted a conversation with her father, Jorge, who had inquired whether she had ever been on a date. When she admitted that she had not, he suggested she share a video inviting someone to join her.
The Canadian mentioned that she wishes to go on a date in Montréal because it is her home, a place where she feels at ease. She also said that any potential date would need to meet her father before their outing.
“My dad point-blank asked me if I’d gone on a date yet, and I told him I hadn’t. I’ve never really had the time, and no one’s really asked me, which I don’t know why! He suggested I post a video on Instagram and have a date in Montréal, where you feel at home and you feel comfortable. Of course, he was like, ‘But, he has to meet me first!’ I agreed that was 100% fair,” Fernandez said.
The 22-year-old revealed that after posting the video, she received numerous offers, including some from fellow athletes with whom she went to the Olympics.
“I got responses from other athletes, including ones I went to the Olympics with, and they told me, ‘I know how you feel,’ or, ‘When I was 22, I hadn’t gone on a date yet, either.’ At this age, we’re all either studying or going to sports competitions, so reading those messages not only makes me feel better and like I’m not the odd one out,” she continued.
Fernandez mentioned that she finds the experience of meeting someone and engaging in conversation interesting, as she has never gone on a date.
“I’ve never been on one date before, so I just want to experience how it goes from there. It’s also about getting to know each other, what his hobbies are, and what he likes. He can ask me the same because, yeah, I’m a tennis player, but that’s not all I am. It’s just about having a little conversation and seeing if there’s a mutual interest,” Fernandez added.
On the tennis side of things, Fernandez began her campaign at the 2025 Citi DC Open by defeating Maya Joint 6-3, 6-3 in the first round. She will face the top seed, Jessica Pegula, in the second round.
Fernandez and Pegula have met twice on the WTA Tour, with the American winning both encounters. Their most recent match was in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Cincinnati Open, which Pegula won. The winner of this match will advance to face either qualifier Taylor Townsend or sixth seed Sofia Kenin in the quarterfinals.
