Leylah Fernandez named CP female athlete of the year

Leylah Fernandez displayed a champion's poise after a memorable run to the US Open tennis final last summer, a performance that showed she had truly arrived on one of the sport's biggest stages.

Mere moments after coming up just short of a Grand Slam title, the Canadian teenager delivered a speech that brought the house down at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Her eloquence wowed the New York crowd that day, just like the quality of her play over the preceding fortnight.

Fernandez's upset-laden blitz through the women's draw was one of the highlights in a breakout season for the Montreal native. She also earned her first career WTA Tour title in 2021 and surged up the world rankings to crack the top 25.

Fernandez capped her year Tuesday by winning the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as The Canadian Press female athlete of the year.

An up-and-coming 73rd-ranked player entering the US Open, expectations were modest at the start of the tournament. Fernandez would wildly exceed them.

She stunned defending champion Naomi Osaka in the third round and knocked off more big names like Angelique Kerber, Elina Svitolina and Aryna Sabalenka en route to the final.

"I was very, very proud of myself, how I was able to be composed and how I was able to step up in those important moments so I could get through the finish line," Fernandez said.

WATCH | Fernandez, father discuss breakout year:

Fernandez thrilled the lively crowds along the way with her energy, spirit and determination. Fans were smitten and cheered the 19-year-old Canadian like a hometown favourite.

The final match, however, did not go her way as she fell to British qualifier Emma Raducanu.

It was an emotional afternoon in New York on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. After an on-court interview, Fernandez asked for the microphone back before receiving the finalist trophy so she could address the crowd one last time.

"I know on this day it was especially hard for New York and everyone around the United States," she said. "I just want to say that I hope I can be as strong and as resilient as New York has been the past 20 years.

"Thank you for always having my back, thank you for cheering for me. I love you New York and hope to see you next year."

The applause from the over 23,000 spectators in attendance was deafening.