Leylah Fernandez’s parents: Their story and impact on her career

Leylah Fernandez’s parents are Jorge Fernandez and Irene Exevea. Jorge, an Ecuadorian, became her coach despite having no tennis background. Irene, of Filipino descent, worked abroad to support the family. Their sacrifices shaped Leylah’s discipline and drive as she revealed:

My dad is my coach, and my mom is the one who kept our family together.

Key takeaways

• Leylah Fernandez’s parents are Jorge Fernandez and Irene Exevea.
• Jorge Fernandez gave up his soccer career to coach Leylah in tennis, learning the sport from scratch to guide her growth.
• Irene Exevea lived and worked in California for years, sacrificing time with her family to support Leylah’s tennis training.
• Jorge created personalised training routines and focused on building Leylah’s mental toughness from a young age.
• Leylah credits her parents’ discipline and hard work for helping her stay grounded through early career challenges.
• Leylah often speaks of her parents’ influence as the core reason for her mindset, resilience, and competitive spirit.

Read also

DJ Kezz: Gospel singer stuns fans after announcing she's converted to Islam

Leylah Fernandez’s parents

Leylah's parents, Jorge Fernandez and Irene Exevea, have played a major role in shaping her tennis career. From coaching to emotional and financial support, their unique paths influenced Leylah’s early development and rise in the sport.

Leylah Fernandez's mother

Irene Exevea, Leylah’s mother, was born in Canada to Filipino parents. She is of Ecuadorian and Filipino descent. Irene worked full-time in California for several years to financially support Leylah’s early training and travel. Leylah Fernandez’s parents separated during her childhood, but they remained united in supporting her tennis career.

Her time away from the family helped sustain Leylah’s career path, especially during financially challenging years. While Jorge managed training at home, Irene’s contribution ensured the family had the resources to continue investing in Leylah’s development.

Irene was not directly involved in coaching but played a major emotional and financial support role. She also passed on cultural values tied to her Filipino heritage, which Leylah often credits for her work ethic and respectfulness.

Read also

Nairobi woman leads emotional charge in historic run for seniors to honour late grandma

Leylah Fernandez's father

Jorge Fernandez is Leylah Fernandez’s father and her full-time tennis coach. He was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and later immigrated to Canada with his family. Jorge brought a unique cultural perspective to Leylah’s upbringing.

He played semi-professional soccer before shifting his focus entirely to his daughter’s tennis development. Jorge began coaching Leylah when she expressed interest in tennis. Without prior experience in the sport, he taught himself by studying matches, reading instructional material, and observing professional players.

He created a training structure centred on discipline, mental focus, and tactical understanding. Jorge took full control of Leylah’s development, often turning down traditional coaching offers or academy placements to preserve a tailored approach.

His coaching style directly influenced her unique playing approach and strong on-court presence. For instance, during her run to the 2021 US Open final, Leylah credited her father’s support and guidance as key elements in her performance.

Read also

Mugithi singer Raj Banema dismisses claims he wasn’t married to late wife ahead of burial

Leylah Fernandez’s siblings

The professional tennis player has two sisters: Bianca Jolie Fernandez and Jodeci Fernandez. The siblings were raised in Montreal, Canada, and share a close bond despite following different career paths. Here is more about the siblings:

Bianca Jolie Fernandez

She is Leylah’s younger sister and also a tennis player. Like Leylah, she trained under their father, Jorge Fernandez. Bianca has competed in junior and professional-level tournaments and often partners with Leylah in doubles matches. The two have appeared together in various events, including the Billie Jean King Cup.

Jodeci Fernandez

She is the eldest of the three sisters. Unlike Leylah and Bianca, Jodeci did not pursue tennis professionally. She studied dentistry and has kept a lower public profile. Despite this, she remains supportive of her younger sisters’ careers and is occasionally seen attending their matches.

FAQs about Leylah Fernandez’s parents

1. Who is Leylah Fernandez? Leylah Fernandez is a Canadian professional tennis player known for reaching the 2021 US Open final at the age of 19.
2. Who are Leylah Fernandez's parents? Leylah Fernandez’s parents are Jorge Fernandez and Irene Exevea. Her father is a former soccer player and her full-time coach.
3. What is Leylah Fernandez's parents' nationality? Leylah Fernandez’s father is Ecuadorian-Canadian, and her mother is Filipino-Canadian. Both are now based in Canada.
4. What is Leylah Fernandez's ethnic background? Leylah Fernandez is of mixed heritage. She is of Ecuadorian descent through her father and Filipino descent through her mother.
5. Where are Leylah Fernandez's parents from? Leylah Fernandez’s father, Jorge, is originally from Guayaquil, Ecuador, and immigrated to Canada as a child. Her mother, Irene, was born in Canada to Filipino parents.
6. How many siblings does Leylah Fernandez have? Leylah Fernandez has two sisters: Bianca Jolie Fernandez, who is also a tennis player, and Jodeci Fernandez, who studied dentistry.
7. Did Leylah Fernandez's parents separate? Leylah Fernandez’s parents separated when she was a child, but they continued working together to support her tennis career.
8. What impact did Leylah Fernandez’s parents have on her career? Leylah Fernandez’s parents provided coaching, financial support, and emotional strength.

Read also

McDonald Mariga introduces beautiful little-known wife during his mum’s memorial mass

Final word

Leylah Fernandez’s parents have been key to her rise in professional tennis. Jorge and Irene’s sacrifices, values, and guidance gave Leylah the tools she needed to succeed on the global stage. Their involvement directly influenced her training, mindset, and early career choices.

Are you looking for more information about Mike McDaniel’s dad? Tuko.co.ke shared an informative article about the football coach’s father and his family history.

Mike McDaniel's dad, Mike McDaniel Sr., was Black, while his mother, Donna, is white, making the NFL coach biracial. Mike's father died in a car accident in 1987 when Mike was just four years old. Read the article to learn more about him.

Proofreading by Masolo Mabonga, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke