Leylah Fernandez won the WTA 500 title in Singapore last week, marking the best result of her 2026 season and her sixth career title. The Canadian defeated Mirra Andreeva, Maja Chwalinska, and Talia Gibson en route to the championship.
Why Connors sees a warning sign in the victory
Eight-time Grand Slam champion Jimmy Connors acknowledged Fernandez's Singapore success but cautioned against complacency, according to Tennishead. Connors highlighted the inconsistency that has defined her year, noting the "ups and downs" that have plagued her campaign. Despite winning the WTA 500, Fernandez carries a negative win-loss record for 2026 and has struggled at the sport's biggest stages, exiting in the first round at three of four Grand Slams before reaching the third round at the US Open.
What her 2026 season has looked like
Fernandez's best results this season came at the Singapore Open, Madrid, and Stuttgart, where she reached the quarter-finals. Her early-round exits at the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and three other Grand Slams underscore the volatility Connors referenced. The Canadian did advance to the fourth round of the Canadian Open, her most substantial showing at a home event this year.
Connors stated his hope that Fernandez will not "sit back on her laurels" as the 2026 season enters its final stages, signalling that a single title, however prestigious, should not diminish her drive to build momentum heading into 2027.
Sources
- Tennishead: Jimmy Connors reveals what he really doesn't want Leylah Fernandez to do after her title win in Singapore. Published 2026-10-02.
Reported from public sources.