Leylah Fernandez dedicates DC Open win to her Filipino mom

Photo from leylahannietennis/Instagram

“This trophy is for you.”

These are the words Filipino Canadian tennis champ Leylah Fernandez echoed during her thank-you speech after clinching her first WTA 500 title at the Mubadala Citi D.C. Open on Sunday. 

The 22-year-old delivered a strong performance in the final, defeating Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 6-2 to secure the biggest win of her career.

You may like: Fil-Canadian Leylah Fernandez wins first WTA 500 title, makes history

With the Washington crowd cheering her on, Fernandez took a moment to recognize those who have stood by her through thick and thin.

“I want to thank my team, my coaches for being here all week with me and putting up with my antics and superstitions,” she said, drawing laughs and applause. 

Moreover, she also dedicated the title to her Filipino mother, older sister and fitness trainer Abdul Sillah. “You guys have been fighting, and still are fighting, so thank you so much for never giving up on me.”

Kalinskaya, a formidable opponent ranked inside the Top 30, struggled to match Fernandez’s energy and aggressive left-handed play.

Despite the dominant scoreline, Fernandez acknowledged her rival’s skill and competitiveness, calling Kalinskaya “a tough opponent to play against” and offering her best wishes for the rest of the season.

Now a four-time WTA champion, Fernandez will ride the momentum into the National Bank Open in Montreal, where she’s set to play in front of a home crowd against Australian teenager Maya Joint on Tuesday.

Her victory resonated far beyond Canada. Filipino American tennis player and nurse practitioner Georgio Dano, based in Staten Island, praised the underdog story. 

You may like: Emma Raducanu, Leylah Fernandez reach DC Open semis

“Odds were against her,” he said. “Many of my tennis friends picked Kalinskaya as their favorite. Leylah’s left-handed backhand and aggressive play troubled Kalinskaya and made the difference.”

Dano believes Fernandez, like fellow Filipina tennis talent Alex Eala, is inspiring a new generation of athletes. “Both are role models for the future of Asian women’s tennis and Filipino youth in North America,” he added.