Leylah Fernandez has been storming the internet, but not for her performance. Coming out of her usual style, Fernandez attempted something that can be called bold, like Serena Williams. However, things didn’t go as planned! Her new style, which she thought would impress her followers, landed her in a pool of criticism. While the Canadian bids adieu to the Flashing Meadows, her loss is not the main reason for the disappointment!

Fernandez played her first match at the 2024 US Open today and lost to Russia’s Anastasia Potapova by 6-2, 4-6, 5-7. While Fernandez lost her Grand Slam chance in the first round, the tennis world was bothered about something else, her new hairstyle. Hair is an important accessory for this 21-year-old WTA star, and we saw that at the beginning of the 2024 Australian Open.

She uploaded a video on Instagram, where she visited a salon and had a hair spa before her big tournament. At that moment, Fernandez looked skeptical about trying bold hairstyles as she mentioned how her sister Bianca dyed her hair red once. However, the days of easy plays are gone for this Canadian!

In her first appearance of the US Open, Fernandez stole the spotlight in neatly done braids. However, the fraternity wasn’t very pleased with the look. Despite her loss in the first round, tennis fans started criticizing her new hairstyle and stormed their sarcastic opinions. It began when someone shared Fernandez’s look by taking screenshots from her match against Potapova. “Leylah Fernandez debuts new hairstyle at the #USOpen,“ tweeted the user, and the internet couldn’t help but engage in a toll of laughter.

Fans troll Leylah Fernandez for showing up with braids on her 2024 US Open’s first match

Fernandez, known for her adorable and bubbly personality, is often spotted in a neatly done top bun or short ponytail during matches. However, this time, she decided to go adventurous and donned a braided hairstyle. Even so, fans didn’t like her new look. For example, one fan wrote, “Lend me a pair of scissors.” This statement was sharp and to the point, showcasing the strong disapproval of Fernandez’s look. So much so that they simply wanted to cut it off.

Not everyone was sarcastic about their opinions. One user said, “If you don’t have dense hair you should not be doing this sh-t cus why can I see ur whole scalp like….,“ wrote the fan, focusing on how this hairstyle is not suiting the WTA star because the braid is revealing Leylah’s scalp showing her hair’s thinness.

Another user was highly worried about her latest look. “Her hair is gonna fall out,” they wrote, showing concerns over the potential damage Fernandez’s hair can suffer due to this styling. Breads are generally done in deep and dense black hair, and many WTA stars like Serena Williams to Coco Gauff have donned it. However, braids that are too tight and constantly tug on hair follicles can be problematic. Therefore, the fans’ concerns have some substantiation that this styling can damage the Canadian player’s hair.

The 2021 US Open finalist suffered a second consecutive first-round exit in the 2024 US Open after a similar exit in 2023. Sad at her loss and surprised by her braids, one fan attributed the loss to the new hairstyle. “Why leylah?? Look at you now, just lost with those corn rows in….” 

Another fan sarcastically commented how Fernandez should be penalized for such bad hairstyling. “Take her prize money this is foul,” tweeted the fan. While it is meant on a light note, the comment also showed how tennis fans take fashion seriously. The message was clear: Fernandez couldn’t shine with her new hairstyle.

Leylah Fernandez lost her chance in the 2024 US Open. While people are busy mocking her hairstyle, she has something bigger to worry about, improving her form and winning a Grand Slam. That chance has been reduced to ashes now. But we hope to see Fernandez returning with a bang in the next slam.