Opportunities to share the court with a legend don’t come often in tennis—especially when that legend is Venus Williams. For Leylah Fernandez, one such opportunity came with a mix of excitement and regret, after she was forced to decline an invitation that many players would consider impossible to pass up.

The young Canadian, currently competing at the Credit One Charleston Open, recently revealed that she had to turn down Williams’ request to partner for doubles at the Australian Open earlier this season. The reason wasn’t reluctance—but timing.

Fernandez had already committed to playing alongside Timea Babos, a highly accomplished doubles specialist. By the time Williams’ team reached out, the decision had effectively been made.

Despite the missed chance, the connection between Fernandez and Williams has continued to grow. The pair initially teamed up at the US Open in 2025 and reunited more recently at the Miami Open, where Fernandez described the experience as both enjoyable and meaningful.

Their on-court partnership, while still developing, has already left a strong impression on the Canadian. Beyond Williams’ résumé—highlighted by multiple Grand Slam doubles titles—Fernandez emphasized her presence as a mentor figure. After a tough loss in Miami that slipped away in a deciding tiebreak, it was Williams’ perspective that resonated most.

Rather than dwelling on missed opportunities in the match, Williams encouraged her partner to stay forward-looking, reminding her that even the best players can’t rewrite past points. The advice struck a chord with Fernandez, who admitted it helped her reset mentally and refocus on improvement.

Turning down Williams, however, wasn’t easy. Fernandez likened the feeling to disappointing an older sibling, describing the tennis icon’s “big sister” energy as something that makes saying no particularly difficult. Still, the mutual respect remained intact, and both players have stayed in touch, waiting for the right opportunity to collaborate again.

While Fernandez continues to explore doubles partnerships—most recently competing with Kristina Mladenovic—her strongest results this week have come in singles. She advanced confidently past Polina Kudermetova and now faces a challenging Round of 16 matchup against seventh seed Diana Shnaider.

Even so, her experience alongside Williams stands out as a defining moment—one that blends missed timing with meaningful mentorship, and hints at a partnership that may still have chapters left to be written.