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06 Spring 2021 ITF World Canada's Leylah Annie Fernandez has long since studied the regimes, tactics, mentalities and philosophies of competitors and teams from the wider sporting world in search of an edge. Perhaps it is those extra couple of per cent here and there – the much-vaunted marginal gains – which have helped propel the 18-year-old to a career-high ranking of No. 72 and fuelled dreams of an Olympic debut at this year's Games. Her latest study matter, observed through the Amazon Prime documentary All or Nothing: Manchester City is Pep Guardiola, an innovative coach who is renowned for his devastating possession-based attacking football. "I really like Pep and his style is like my tennis game so I'm learning from him," Fernandez told ITFWorld. "Pep is a very demanding coach, but the way he builds his team is amazing, as is his tactical planning. Manchester City are always offensive and forward-looking, have ball possession – 60-70 per cent in most matches – and their number of passes is incredible. "I can see how much they open up the field and how much they try to pick holes and work it. When I put that together with tennis, I am an offensive player, I am trying to find the holes on the court, open it up and hit winners where I can." doing to bounce back, what their philosophies are and the rules they follow. Often, they are very similar. All the players I look at are different, but at the same time they are very similar." Left-hander Fernandez is set to play a prominent role when Canada travel to Europe for their Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas Play-off clash with Serbia in Kraljevo, which will take place on 16-17 April. The victors will progress to the 2022 Qualifiers, while the showdown will be among the first ties to be played since the competition was rebranded and evolved from Fed Cup into Billie Jean King Cup. The tournament will always hold a special place within Fernandez's affections after she assumed international prominence as a 17-year- old by overcoming then- world No. 5 Belinda Bencic during Canada's tussle with Switzerland in February 2020. Despite this past association and the career- enriching memories she holds dear, when Fernandez steps out on court and competes under the remodelled Billie Jean King Cup banner, there will be an added incentive and increased motivation. "There will. Billie Jean King did a lot for the sport and especially for women's tennis," added Fernandez. "I am sure she is very honoured to have the tournament named after her and I am very honoured to be able to participate in it. "Billie is a great leader. The way she brought women together and made a real difference inspires me to be a better person and become a leader myself. She is an example to me, and while other athletes are as well, she is probably at the top of the list." The Covid-19 pandemic has wrought havoc with sporting calendars worldwide for the best part of 12 months, but despite this disruption Fernandez has refused to allow her progress to be stifled. In fact, it has been a hugely productive period. Since September 2020, she has surged into the top 100, reached the third round at Roland Garros – her best Grand Slam result – and earlier this month claimed her first Tour-level title at Monterrey. Guardiola is not the first to be scrutinised by Fernandez, with the teenager previously analysing the likes of Lionel Messi, Mike Tyson, Sidney Crosby, Wayne Gretzky, Isaiah Thomas, Pele and Floyd Mayweather Jr. At first glance, these sporting icons have little in common. But Fernandez, who stands at five feet and four inches tall, looked to learn from those who have thrived in their respective sporting environments despite not being the most imposing in terms of physical stature. "I am not as big as the other female players on Tour so I focus on having great tennis IQ, believing in my style and using other players in different sports as motivation," said Fernandez, who was crowned Roland Garros girls' champion in 2019. "My father [and coach Jorge] insists I study players from different sports in order to understand that my stature is perfect for my personality and skills. I look at their creativity, uniqueness, use of angles, speed, aggressive defence and the fluidity of their movements. "Studying different athletes and different players from different sports not only helps physically and with style of game, but also with how to react, mentally and emotionally, in bad moments. "I look at what they are Main Fernandez made her Billie Jean King Cup debut in 2019 Inset Victory over Bencic was the biggest victory of the teenager's career so far With the first ties since the competition's rebrand only days away, ITFWorld sits down with Canada's Leylah Annie Fernandez to discuss all things Billie Jean King Cup 06 Spring 2021 ITF World TREASURE NATIONAL

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