Quebec tennis stars Fernandez and Auger-Aliassime inspire local players

MONTREAL – Laval’s Leyla Fernandez continued her significant run at the US Open on Tuesday to earn a place in the semifinals.

Montreal’s Felix Auger-Aliassime will also advance to the semifinals as Canada’s all-time best run with a major tennis tournament.

Local tennis friends take over the ball.

At Club CDL in Ville Saint-Laurent, players plan their practice according to the US Open schedule.

Everyone is talking about Canada’s latest sports heroes.

16-year-old rival Zakaria Achour says: “I think they are very good and we are very proud of them.”

Zakaria and his older brother Alexandre say watching Leylah Fernandez and Felix Auger-Aliassime make them feel like a dream come true for reachable Quebec players.

I’ve known Felix since I was 12, he played with my older brother. They belong to the same category, so it’s really inspiring to see someone I knew when I was young and where he is now, ”Alexandre says.

The spotlight on Canada’s tennis talents highlights that players can thrive here.

“I don’t have to move to Spain, I don’t have to move to the United States, I can do this here,” says Eric Giguere, director of high-performance tennis programs at Club CDL.

Quebec professionals like him are happy to see local talent develop from an early age to reach the world stage.

Giguere worked with Leyla in his younger years.

I had the opportunity when I was with him at national tennis events in Quebec, [as] one of the coaches of the team, his work ethic is impeccable. He has a great IQ, a tennis IQ, ”he says.

Maybe we’re just learning their skills, but the tennis world has known these names for years. Sylvie Giroux Tennis from Quebec has worked with both players.

Leylah and Felix were part of the Quebec team, we have a team under 10 and under Quebec under 12, so they were both part of it. Both called the citizens, Giroux says. Felix did well among the citizens and at the age of 13 Leylah won the national competition under the age of 16.

Club CDL coaches say they never know who the next superstar will be. Alain Mansuela encourages them all, regardless of skill level.

They’re really excited to get on the field and want to do the same thing, ”Mansuela says.

Fernandez will play on Thursday and Auger-Allisiame on Friday. Many people look, including old friends.