‘Preparation Was Like a Cinderella Story’: Leylah Fernandez on Wearing Venus Williams Inspired Dress at Met Gala 2021

Leylah Annie Fernandez has been making rapid strides on the WTA circuit. The Canadian teenager achieved her career-best ranking of 24 in women’s singles in November last year. Further, her breakthrough moment came at the last year’s US Open, where she finished as the runners-up to another teenager, Emma Raducanu.

For Leylah, beating the likes of four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka and World Number 2 Aryna Sabalenka on way to the finals was no mean feat. Recently, the 19-year-old has opened up about the events following her accomplishment at the 2021 US Open.

Leylah Fernandez on the road to stardom

During an interview with the Australian Open media team recently, the Canadian said, “It was a nice surprise after the finals when my mum told me, ‘oh, by the way, we’re invited to the Met Gala’.” In addition, she stated that she received the invitation during the tournament, but no one told her. They wanted her to stay focused on the tournament.

While talking about getting ready for the Met Gala, she said, “the preparation, the whole preparation, was like a Cinderella story. I never imagined myself to be in that situation or to even experience it.”WATCH THIS STORY: Top Prize Money Earners in 2021 Across Women’s Tennis

Subsequently, she stated how she felt very lucky to have worn a dress by Carolina Herrera. The designer was inspired by the dress Venus Williams wore a few years ago. Further, she said that seeing the artists express themselves through clothes was a great experience for her. 

The teenager at Australian Open 2022

Leylah Fernandez is seeded 23rd at the season’s first Grand Slam. She faces Maddison Inglis of Australia in the first round. Further, she could potentially face former World Number 1 Angelique Kerber of Germany in the third round. 

Can Leylah Fernandez go one further than her incredible US Open run and lift the Australian Open 2022 trophy? Do let us know your views in the comments below.

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