The Australian Open is just a few days away, and Leylah Fernandez is ready. For tennis, and for more. The teen just became Lululemon’s newest ambassador and is now helping introduce the brand’s first-ever tennis collection, the kind of sponsorship deal that proves just how great 2021 was for her – and what the hopes for her future are.
“Lululemon puts thought and care into every piece of product for me,” she told People Magazine in a candid discussion about the deal and about the future. “The quality is the absolute best and I trust the team to provide me so I can perform at my highest level on the court.”
The world of tennis has been in the eye of the storm for the past week, with Novak Djokovic, the highest-ranked men’s player embroiled in a messy fight over his right to stay in Australia and participate in the tournament despite being unvaccinated. But for Fernandez, the turmoil on the men’s side of the draw isn’t even a consideration.
Instead, she’s focusing on her tennis, on getting better than last year, and on finding out who Leylah Fernandez truly is, and what’s important for her.
Objective number one? Win a match in the first Grand Slam of the season, where Fernandez has never advanced past the first round. The No. 23 seed will begin the tournament with a clash against Australian wild card Maddison Inglis, with a possible rematch against Aryna Sabalenka, the No. 2 seed she beat in the US Open semifinal, waiting for her in Round 4.
Watch Leylah Fernandez’s first-round match this Sunday, January 16th.