Fernandez after runner-up finish in US Open: 'I'm very proud of myself'
MANILA, Philippines — It wasn't the fairy tale ending she may have wanted, but Leylah Fernandez still had the tournament of her life at the 2021 US Open.
Falling to Emma Raducanu in the Final, 4-6, 3-6, Fernandez was stopped short of what could've been the perfect ending to a Cinderella run.
And while she would've liked to have lifted the trophy, Fernandez acknowledged just how much she accomplished at only 19-years-old.
"Today's going to be hard to recuperate but Emma played amazing," said Fernandez in her interview before receiving her finalist trophy.
"I'm very proud of myself with the way I've played these past two weeks," she added.
En route to the Final, Fernandez had to hurdle a lot of challenges — including former US Open champions Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber.
Her unlikely run made her a darling to the New York crowd in every match she played.
The crowd's support didn't go unnoticed by the Fil-Ecuadorian player out of Canada.
"The New York crowd has been amazing," said Fernandez.
"It's definitely special for me to be here in the Finals and having you cheering me on, thank you so much New York," she added.
Fernandez and Raducanu competed in the US Open's first Final featuring two teenagers since 1999 when Serena Williams bested Martina Hingis.
Raducanu became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam in the Open era after beating Fernandez.
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