Leylah Fernandez is thriving at the 2026 US Open, winning her first two matches in straight sets. As she advances to the third round, where she will face World No. 3 Jessica Pegula, the 2021 finalist credited her younger sister Bianca Fernandez, who has traveled with her during the tournament, and helped her stay grounded and handle the pressure of Grand Slam tennis.
Leylah Fernandez Reveals How Younger Sister Bianca’s Brutal Honesty Is Helping Her Stay Grounded at US Open
At 23, Fernandez knows the pressure and demands of the WTA Tour. But having her 22-year-old sister Bianca travel with her has helped her mentally. Bianca plays college tennis at UCLA and also teams up with Leylah for some professional doubles events, including at the recent Canadian Open.
After her first-round win at Flushing Meadows, Fernandez was asked during a Tennis Channel interview what had helped her stay more present on the court. She quickly pointed to her younger sister.
“I would say traveling with my younger sister,” Fernandez told host Steve Weissman. “That definitely helps a lot because she straight up tells me the truth, and it could be hurtful, but it’s also freeing because now I know she says it out of love, and I can’t get mad at her.”
With this close bond also comes honest criticism from her sister, and Leylah doesn’t take it personally. “I can never get mad at her,” she added. “So, I just kind of accept it, be happy about it, and I’m just enjoying my time.”
In the second-round match, Fernandez looked toward her box for help after losing her serve late in a set. But Bianca’s response was far from what Fernandez expected.
“Just today, when I lost my serve at 5-3, it was like 5-4. My opponent was serving, and I remember looking at her, and she’s like, ‘What do you want me to do?’ Fernandez recalled with a laugh. “’So like, why the hell are you looking at me? I can’t tell you anything.’”
Leylah and Bianca reached the semifinals at the Canadian Open in 2024. This year, the sisters received a main-draw doubles Wild Card for the 2026 National Bank Open, but their run ended in the round of 32 after they lost to Elise Mertens and Diana Shnaider.
The World No. 33 also played doubles alongside Janice Tjen at the ongoing US Open as the duo beat Isabelle Haverlag and Nika Radisic 6-1, 6-1 in the first round.
In the singles, the Canadian has defeated Zhang Shuai and Mananchaya Sawangkaew so far, and next up she will face the home favorite Pegula.
