American Doubles Legend Accuses Leylah Fernandez of On-Court Coaching During US Open 2021 Semifinals Against Aryna Sabalenka
Playing the biggest match of her career so far, Leylah left no stone unturned in outclassing her opponent. Putting on yet another emphatic display, she ran a riot on the court, beating her opponent in a thrilling 3-setter. Doing so, she became the youngest player to qualify for a Grand Slam final since Maria Sharapova in 2004 at Wimbledon.
However, her win has also sparked a controversy, with tennis legend, Pam Shriver, adding cheating allegations on the Canadian youngster.
Can Leylah Fernandez be in trouble?
Post her triumphant win, Leylah opened up on how important her family’s presence was to her victory. However, former American tennis player, Pam Shriver was not happy about the same. Notably, she accused the 19-year-old of receiving on-court coaching from her coach, who was seated in her box.
Fernandez’s team is doing some solid coaching caught on camera many times. #CHANGETHERULEORENFORCEIT
— Pam Shriver (@PHShriver) September 5, 2021
She said, “Three points ago there was a clear ‘calm down’ with the hands. I mean you think about what happened here three years ago. Any kind of hand signal that puts a message across is coaching, it wasn’t encouragement.”
How far beyond true these allegations are, remains to be seen. However, as of now, the Canadian is the talk of the town, as she marches into the finals of the tournament. En route to history, she beat Aryna Sabalenka 7-6, 4-6, 6-4.
