MELBOURNE : Leylah Fernandez said her early tennis education under her father Jorge had focused heavily on the mental aspects of the game, something she was thankful for on Tuesday after the Canadian won her first match at the Australian Open.
Fernandez said her Ecuadorian father - a semi-professional footballer who took to coaching tennis despite not playing the sport himself - had imparted important values for success in the sport. "He hasn't really taught me about tennis or technique but more of the mental side of the sport. Because it's hard. You're all alone out there on court. Most of the time you don't have a coach with you or the coach can't talk to you during points.
Fernandez, who has won two WTA titles - both at Monterrey in the last two years - but has largely struggled to match her form from Flushing Meadows, said notching a first victory at the Australian Open was a welcome boost.