Laila and her clan are looking for the rare pearl

Toronto | The Fernandez clan had been looking to expand the squad for a year by adding a coach who could support Jorge, Lille’s father. A complicated task, Quebec explained on Saturday.

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“We are looking forward, but we are very patient,” Fernandez explained at a press conference held on the sidelines of the National Bank Open. We want to find someone who is good, but who is also suitable for the team. »

Fernandez is a tightly knit clan. For almost two years, the Frenchman Romain Dirider joined their entourage, but the union ended in July 2021.

Since then, Laila and her father have been searching for the rare pearl. The 19-year-old, ranked No. 13 in Toronto, says she wants to find someone who can come to terms with the idiosyncrasies of her game and understand it well.

The fact that she is left-handed, in particular, but also because she plays tennis “a little differently.”

“I am the type of player who opens the door a lot [avec ses coups], indicated. Finding the perfect coach for us will be difficult and time consuming. So we will be patient. »

“one of the best”

In Toronto, when she returns to competition after a two-month hiatus that forced a stress fracture in her right foot, Fernandez will accompany her father, hitting partner, younger sister Bianca and other family members.

If Jorge has occasionally missed certain tournaments in the past – he was noticeably absent when his daughter reached the final in New York last year – that is no longer the case this year.

This scenario is a perfect fit for the original Lavalloise. “While waiting to get another coach, I know I can always count on my dad,” she said. He’s one of the best coaches I’ve had. »

“It takes the time to set up my schedule, my training,” she added. And not only tennis, but also physical and mental preparation. He helped me get through tough times. »

Less likes this time

Lila was only 16 years old when she was last in Toronto. She ranked 260th in the world and lost sharply in her first match, ahead of Czech qualifying 91st-ranked Marie Bozkova.

“A lot has happened since then! Getting to know Quebec. I remember at the time, I was moved when I saw Venus Williams passing by me. I was amazed to see these big stars!”

The junior doubles player also played alongside Romanian Simona Halep.

They lost in the first round, but Fernandez especially remembers the tension she felt when she jumped to the floor alongside the world number one.

I didn’t know how to talk to her, I remembered laughing, but fortunately she helped me a lot. »

Its championship night will begin Monday night, versus playoffs. Serena Williams and her sister Venus, who received passes from the organizers, will also take part in that day.

Shoes instead of Wimbledon

Toronto | Driven by her remarkable journey to the quarter-finals at Roland Garros, Laila Fernandez dreamed of winning Wimbledon.

The 19-year-old Quebec found herself with a walking shoe on her right foot, as a result of the stress fracture she suffered on the ocher of Paris.

“The past few weeks have been very difficult,” the top-ranked Canadian player admitted. I thought I was a patient girl, to accept this respite, but I realized I was less than I thought. »

“It was a roller coaster of emotions,” she added. At first I felt sad. I was sad. »

She wanted to play

Since the beginning of her career, Lily has not experienced such a long period of inactivity.

“In the weeks after my injury, I was trying to grab the racket and go play,” she said. But my father told me, “No! Don’t do this!” »

The young athlete finally gave in to storing her rackets in a closet and only taking them out when she recovered.

TV and crime novels

Until she was able to return to training a few days ago, her night replaced them with TV shows and detective novels.

And also, to spend the family time, which she has little to when she travels around the planet to play tennis.

“My consolation is spending time with my loved ones,” she noted.

“Like new”

But here she is back, with her right foot “like new”. After this absence from the field, Fernandez said she is very motivated, especially as she will be playing in front of family and friends.

Because if she grew up in Laval, before her clan moved to Florida, Lily has many of her family members in Toronto.

“There are many. Uncles, aunts and cousins, they listed the thirteenth pill. I wish I had some time to see them!”