World No. 74 Leylah Fernandez admits she's pursuing online University classes and utilizing her spare time to 'learn new things'.
Fernandez is one of a number of WTA players who are enrolled in distance-learning classes at Indiana University East, thanks to a partnership between the institution and the Women's Tennis Benefits Association (WTBA), that aids women tennis players to gain baccalaureate degrees online while simultaneously competing on the WTA Tour.
Fernandez has endured a tough year in 2023, winning half of her 36 matches, and came close to exiting the Top 100. She lost in the opening of this year's US Open - a tournament in which she shot to fame just two years ago.
In a recent Q&A session on her Instagram, a fan asked about Fernadez's training routine and whether she stopped taking classes. The Canadian responded, saying it's tough balancing both sides of the spectrum, adding that she relishes learning something new every day.
"Great question. Every body is a little different. But I still do some online university classes. I try to continue my education between practices. It is a little hard, but I do enjoy learning new things."
Earlier this year, the WTA announced that Morgan Stanley a multinational financial services firm will be an exclusive partner of Come Play initiative, which aims to make tennis accessible to all, foster inclusivity and drive diversity for the next generation. In addition, tennis players will be bundled with financial literacy and planning resources.
Fernandez, who is a brand ambassador for Morgan Stanley, has always had this skeptical mind of what life outside tennis would look like. She's currently majoring in business at the Indian University East, and in an interview with CNBC, spoke of the comfort blanket this partnership would give tennis players who worry about their careers being cut short.
"We’re focused on tennis our whole lives. That’s the only thing that we know, but it’s not something we can always depend on. I want to have that stability, that thought that everything is going to be all right and we need to have those resources."
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