It’s been a long and pretty successful tennis season for Canada’s Leylah Annie Fernandez. The teenager, who is now ranked 28th in the world, and whose breakout year included reaching her first U.S Open singles final, has decided it doesn’t need to be any longer. Fernandez has announced she will not be playing in the Billie Jean King Cup finals, to be played in November.
Her decision leaves Canada without its top two players, after Bianca Andreescu also announced she would also not participate and instead focus on preparing for the next WTA Tour season.
“It has always been an honour to represent my country,” Fernandez said in a statement. “Canada has given me and my family so much opportunity and in the last few weeks, the Canadian support has meant the world to me.”
However, the player added. “After consideration, I have made the decision to not play the BJK Cup Finals. I wish my team all the best this November.”
Fernandez’s decision comes near the end of the WTA tour season, and right after a heartbreaking singles loss at Indian Wells. She and doubles partner Coco Gauff were also eliminated from the BNP Paribas Open, on the very same day Fernandez lost her singles match.
“We know that representing her country means the world to Leylah,” said interim Canada captain Sylvain Bruneau. “But it has been a long season and we understand her decision.
Fernandez will be replaced on the team by Carol Zhao. She has not made any announcements about whether she will play again this WTA season.