"Couldn't resist this music pairing" - Leylah Fernandez recreates iconic 'Rocky' scene during training ahead of Miami Open 2023

Leylah Fernandez recently shared a video of her training, accompanied by the iconic Rocky theme song 'Gonna Fly Now' ahead of the 2023 Miami Open.

Fernandez's journey at the 2023 BNP Paribas Open came to an abrupt end as she was defeated by French tennis player Caroline Garcia in a grueling three-set match. Despite putting up a valiant effort, the Canadian was unable to overcome Garcia's formidable game, ultimately losing 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1 in the third round.

On March 20, the 20-year old took to her social media to share some videos of herself training in between shooting for Gatorade at the Crandon Park Tennis Center in Key Biscayne, Florida.

She added "Gonna Fly Now" to a video of her running up the stairs at the stadium, recreating one of the most iconic scenes in movie history -- where Rocky runs up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the 1976 movie.

"Couldn't resist this music pairing 😂," Leylah Fernandez wrote on her Instagram story.

Leylah Fernandez's Instagram story

Following her early exit from the Indian Wells Open, the former US Open runner-up will be waiting to prove her mettle at the upcoming Miami Open. This year's tournament boasts an impressive lineup of players, including 11 former Grand Slam champions.

Leylah Fernandez is determined to persevere as she maintains a positive outlook in anticipation of the upcoming WTA 1000 tournament in Florida.

"I needed some time to reflect, but I'm proud of the improvements and to keep growing. Life’s reality is not how many times you get knocked down but how many times you stand back up. Next stop 📍 Miami ☀️🌊😎," Fernandez tweeted.

Leylah Fernandez, Bianca Andreescu to represent Canada at the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers

Leylah Fernandz at the 2021 US Open

Tennis Canada announced the names of the four players who will represent Canada at the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers in Vancouver. The team comprises of Leylah Fernandez, Bianca Andreescu, Rebecca Marino, and Gabriela Dabrowski.

The highly anticipated matches are scheduled to take place on April 14-15 at the Pacific Coliseum, where Canada will face off against Belgium for the first time in over a decade.

Andreescu is set to play in her first home Billie Jean King Cup tie since 2018. This will be her 11th time participating in a Billie Jean King Cup tie, while her fellow Canadian player Fernandez has already won eight out of her 11 previous contests.

It will also be the second year in a row that Canada will host a Billie Jean King Cup qualifier tie in Vancouver. Canada previously defeated Latvia 4-0 in April 2022 with a lineup that included Fernandez, Marino, Dabrowski, and Carol Zhao.