Leylah Fernandez Reflects on Venus Williams' Sage Advice

The young Canadian tennis star shares the best on-court guidance she's received from the veteran legend.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 3:08pm

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Canadian tennis player Leylah Fernandez has formed a close mentorship with 45-year-old Venus Williams after the pair teamed up for a surprise run to the 2025 US Open doubles quarterfinals. Fernandez recently recalled a key piece of advice Venus gave her during their loss at the 2026 Miami Open, telling her to forget past mistakes and keep moving forward. Fernandez said Venus' perspective was invaluable coming from such an experienced champion.

Why it matters

The relationship between the rising star Fernandez and the legendary Venus Williams showcases the importance of mentorship in professional sports. As Fernandez continues to develop her game, having a seasoned veteran like Venus to provide guidance can be instrumental in helping her reach her full potential.

The details

Fernandez and Venus first teamed up at the 2025 US Open, where they reached the doubles quarterfinals in a surprise run. They reprised their partnership at the 2026 Miami Open, where they lost in three sets. During that match, as Fernandez was frustrated by her own volley errors, Venus told her that dwelling on the past is futile and she should instead focus on moving forward. Fernandez said Venus' words of wisdom helped her reframe her mindset and find the positives in the tough loss.

  • Fernandez and Venus first teamed up at the 2025 US Open.
  • They played doubles together again at the 2026 Miami Open in March.

The players

Leylah Fernandez

A rising 23-year-old Canadian tennis player who has formed a close mentorship with Venus Williams.

Venus Williams

A 45-year-old tennis legend and four-time Olympic gold medalist who has provided valuable guidance to the younger Fernandez.

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What they’re saying

“Unless you have a time machine you can't go back to the past, so forget it and keep moving forward.”

— Venus Williams, Tennis Legend

“With that quote, that definitely helped me to kind of recharge and look at the bright side and just keep working the next day and find ways to improve.”

— Leylah Fernandez, Tennis Player

What’s next

Fernandez and Venus are hoping to team up again at an upcoming tournament, with the 2026 Australian Open being a possibility if their schedules align.

The takeaway

The mentorship between rising star Leylah Fernandez and tennis legend Venus Williams demonstrates the invaluable guidance that experienced champions can provide to younger players. Fernandez has credited Venus' sage advice with helping her maintain a positive mindset and continue improving her game.