Leylah Fernandez is embracing her new nickname of “Clay-lah” after an impressive French Open run on the clay courts at Roland Garros.
The Canadian teen cruised past Amanda Anisimova in a three-set battle before falling to Martina Trevisan in a hard-fought quarterfinal Tuesday.
Despite the loss, the 19-year-old is keeping a positive attitude, tweeting a message to her fans referencing her new moniker.
“While it wasn’t the results we wanted, I fought hard,” wrote Fernandez. “But with every tournament regardless of the outcome…I learn, grow, and will stand back up. I can’t thank you all enough for the support and outpouring of love I’ve received. You’ll see Clay-lah again, don’t you worry.”
While it wasn’t the results we wanted, I fought hard. But with every tournament regardless of the outcome...I learn, grow, and will stand back up. I can’t thank you all enough for the support and outpouring of love I’ve received. You’ll see Clay-lah again, don’t you worry.🤍— leylahfernandez (@leylahfernandez) June 2, 2022
While it wasn’t the results we wanted, I fought hard. But with every tournament regardless of the outcome...I learn, grow, and will stand back up. I can’t thank you all enough for the support and outpouring of love I’ve received. You’ll see Clay-lah again, don’t you worry.🤍
Fernandez has proved her staying power after catapulting to the world stage during the 2021 US Open, falling to fellow wunderkind Emma Raducanu in the Grand Slam final. Ranked No. 17 in the world, Fernandez boasts a 66.7 win percentage for the 2022 season.
“I think it’s actually pretty amazing that they came up with ‘Clay-lah’ because I have no creativity for that. I wouldn’t think of that nickname,” said Fernandez.
The young star will now gear up for the grass-court season, with Wimbledon set to kick off on June 27.