"Tough for both her and I": Leylah Fernandez's sister Bianca opens up about difficulty of balancing relationship with Canadian & college tennis career

Leylah Fernandez's sister Bianca opened up about the difficulty of balancing her relationship with her sister while being miles apart. The former travels the world via the WTA Tour, and the latter is shaping her college tennis career in the USA.

Bianca just completed her first full season with the UCLA, finishing with a 17-11 record in singles. She has risen into the Top 70 of the NCAA singles rankings, currently sitting at No. 65. This positions her as the No. 2 Canadian in the American collegiate system, just behind Mia Kupres.

Bianca also earned a Pac-12 Tennis Player of the Week award and most recently received the ITA Southwest Regional Rookie of the Year award for her exploits with the Bruins.

Leylah Fernandez and Bianca have been close since childhood. However, they are currently apart, as the former US Open finalist is in England for the grasscourt swing while her sister is making waves in Los Angeles.

Bianca Fernandez appeared on the latest Match Point Canada podcast episode and discussed her bond with her sister. She mentioned that while the distance is a factor, the "toughest" part for Leylah is not having her little sister welcome her home anymore, which used to be the case whenever she returned from her trips.

"I think the distance wasn't as tough as one would have thought because we are used to it. Leylah [Fernandez] always traveled before but I was always home, so I think the toughest thing was actually to my sister, who used to come home and I was there with open arms and now I am at school," Bianca said (at 17:07).

"She comes home and I am not there. So I think that's tough for both her and I," she added.

The Canadian continued:

"Even during Indian Wells, Leylah was so close yet so far. That was definitely the tougher part. We are so used to it and managing in FaceTime was very easy. Just the moment she texts me, that's when I know she is alone, so I just call her."

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Leylah Fernandez's sister Bianca plans to visit her and their father in London

Leylah Fernandez

During her conversation with Match Point Canada, Leylah Fernandez's sister Bianca mentioned her upcoming trip to London. She plans to visit her elder sister, who is playing at the Birmingham Classic and has advanced to the Round of 16, and their father Jorge.

However, the 20-year-old clarified that she won't stay around for the Wimbledon Championships.

"To see each other during the summer, yes, we will. I will be traveling to London to go see her and my father. I don't think I will be staying for Wimbledon," Bianca said (at 18:00).

Bianca Fernandez made her WTA main draw debut at the 2022 Monterrey Open in doubles, partnering with her sister Leylah, though they lost in the first round. She won her first tour match later that year at the Canadian Open, where she and Leylah defeated Sara Sorribes Tormo and Kirsten Flipkens in the opening round.