L. FERNANDEZ/R. Zarazua
6-2, 6-2
THE MODERATOR: Leylah, congrats on the win. You deserve the ice cream today.
LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: Yes.
THE MODERATOR: Just talk us through the match a little bit, and how does it feel to have all the love and support here.
LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: Yeah, it truly means a lot to me to be playing at home in front of a full crowd.
It's super exciting to walk on court. A little bit nerve wracking, but happy I was able to manage those nerves and enjoy the moment, enjoy playing in front of the Canadian fans, and go out there executing my game and getting through to the next round.
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. I don't know if you would agree with the word "routine" for that victory, but a smooth start for you. How important is that as you try and kick start this campaign here in your home country?
LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: Yeah, I mean, not so much routine, but it definitely did feel smooth. Started off the match really good. Unfortunately, like, a little dip. But Renata, she's going to fight, she wasn't going to just hand over the game.
I was just kind of happy that I continued on with my routines and stayed mentally strong and believing and trusting in myself in those moments in the beginning of the matches and sets.
Q. When you say you felt a little nervous walking out there, what do you attribute those nerves to specifically?
LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: I would say more excitement. I mean, I haven't played in front of a home crowd for a year now. I haven't played in front of a packed stadium for a while.
So, being able to feel that again, like it was kind of like nerves, excitement. I don't know how to describe it. Kind of like a kid on Christmas Day. Like, wanting to open your Christmas gifts, but you can't, so you're kind of like antsy.
So that was kind of me the whole day. I did feel like a little bit nervous because obviously I want to perform well in front of the home crowd, but also in front of my friends and family who came. But I'm just happy that everything worked out at the end.
Q. Every year it seems there's a difference sensation. One year it was you, when you were fresh. I'm told by Karl Hale that this year it is Eala-mania, and it's brought out many new fans from the Filipino community. I just want to know, what do you make of that?
LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: Well, I mean, the Filipino community are super proud. They're proud of anybody who comes from the country, who are part Filipino. I definitely felt that when I came on to the scene.
The fan base is super amazing, loving. And any country, any parts of the world, you're going to see a couple Filipino flags. And they're going to come and watch my match, Eala's match, and it's a super loving community.
I'm just super happy that we get to experience that here in Toronto, where the stands are going to be filled and we get to play in front of a lot of people and we get to enjoy women's sports.
I mean, for a long time we've been fighting that it is exciting to watch women's sports. And to be able to see more and more people come and watch, especially with their kids, and see them with a big smile on their faces, it's also a reason why I personally play the sport and continue competing.
Q. Specifically with you, along the same lines, I was walking around, there were fans wearing their Canada soccer jerseys, also having the Philippines flags, and saying they're so excited to watch you, sort of riding that wave from the World Cup, which you've also been doing. What has that energy felt like, and how important is this tournament for you in terms of kind of maybe resetting a little bit from the year that you've had and finishing on a high note?
LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: I mean, the energy has been truly amazing. As I said, walking on court was super special, hearing everyone cheer, especially when they were doing the player introductions, it kind of gave me goose bumps.
At the end of the game, I mean, I was like seeing the crowd, and it was like I think the first time in the whole match where I really looked up and took everything in. That's why I wanted to videotape the whole thing because it was such a special moment for me.
It hasn't been the greatest year, but we've always like talked about resetting, refocusing, every week is a new week, we've always said that.
So it's easier said than done, but we do our best. I try to surround myself with great people around me who help me in that aspect, in that mental aspect, so I can always put my best foot forward when I step on court.
Q. On that train, you started this match as the last Canadian in either the men's or women's side. I'm wondering how you approach sort of having to carry the flag yourself the rest of the way?
LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: Well, I mean, I'm extremely proud to be Canadian, to be representing my country in any tournament. I had the opportunity to represent Canada at the Billie Jean King Cup and in the Junior Fed Cup, when it was called Fed Cup at the time.
So I've always, like I said, whenever we wear the flag on our back we're going to put our best attitude, and we're going to put on a good show for everyone.
So, you know, I didn't... no, that's a lie. I knew that I was the last Canadian standing. My dad specifically said that before I walked on court.
I guess that kind of lit a little fire in me, because you know, I've always said that we have a lot of Canadians, young Canadian tennis players who are doing extremely well. And I want to be able to kind of motivate them to keep going and to keep believing in themselves.
Hopefully, one day Canada's not only a winter sport country, but it could also be a summer sport country. With soccer that's coming up, Soccer Canada.
There's also Basketball Canada, who are doing extremely well, I know they're a couple NBA players who have done extremely well.
Hopefully tennis can be amongst the top sports for Canada, and more and more girls, boys, can pick up the racquet and just continue competing.
Q. I'm actually curious, Eala was saying she considers you a friend. Have you given her any advice on spots to check out in the city, and how has that relationship sort of developed?
LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: Yeah, she's a friend. I mean, she's a nice girl. Unfortunately, I don't have her number (laughing). So it's weird, because I don't give out my numbers to a lot of people, and especially on tour. Like, they message me on Instagram, and that's pretty much it.
But she's a nice girl. I know she just got here, so I haven't had the chance to even see her. I only saw her walking on court, and I didn't want to kind of mess her concentration up.
So, hopefully we do get the chance to speak off court, and if she does need any suggestions, I can give her a couple places that I like to go.
But I feel like she has a good routine going. She's got a good team with her, so I think she can figure things out too. So, I don't know, if she needs any help, I'm here.
Q. Restaurant spots?
LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: Okay, so I went to a really good Italian restaurant yesterday on King Street. Caffino, that's it. That's one of my favorite restaurants.
And then I'm a very big junk food person. This is bad. But you can see I'm a junk food person with this ice cream.
So a few days I've been eating Harvey's, close to the hotel, try to walk out. So, yeah, there it is.
Q. What can we expect tomorrow in doubles with you and your sister? Does Bianca Jolie have the game plan all set out for you guys?
LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: Yeah, she does. She was speaking to me about the game plan during lunch, which is actually hilarious because I haven't even played my singles yet.
But she's like, Hey, I've been looking at these matches, and we can do this. So I feel like we're just excited to be playing together. Hopefully we can go out there and get the win.
But I think the most important thing is that we get to have fun, get to share the court once again, and execute our game.
I know my sister, she's going to go out there and attack. And I'm also going to be doing that. So it's going to be kind of the Fernandez sisters terror, hopefully.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports