Leylah Fernandez believed that giving inspiration to the youth is the best prize she could get in her young tennis career.
"I think that scenario is a lot more than of the tournaments that I won," said Fernandez in an old interview with Sportsnet's Arash Madani.
The idea was brought up when Madani cited that many young tennis players are looking up to Fernandez as their role model in the sport.
The Canadian netter of Filipino descent recalled that she was once part of that younger generation who took inspiration from veteran athletes, the very reason why they kept thriving in the field.
"I've looked up to players and they've given me a sense of inspiration to keep pushing through those tough moments," said the 19-year-old Fernandez, who advanced to the US Open final after defeating world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus. "Me being able to do that to a young player, that's what drives me on the tennis court that pushes me, like having that is far greater than any tournament I've won."
Fernandez, who only turned 19 four days ago, Sept. 6, continued her winning ways in the US Open after earlier upsetting third-seed Naomi Osaka of Japan and beating former world No. 1 and 16th-seed Angelique Kerber of Germany, and Ukraine’s fifth-seeded Elina Svitolina.
Though she has yet to learn more about the Filipino culture, Fernandez cited that being a Canadian has opened more doors for her to compete in the sport.
"Canada was very accepting and was giving me opportunities that I don't think many other players from different countries would get," said Fernandez.
Fernandez, who was born to father Jorge, an Ecuadorian, and mother Irene, a Canadian with Filipino parents, is one win away from capturing her first Grand Slam on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Awaiting as the final hurdle for Fernandez is 18-year-old British foe Emma Raducanu, who earlier beat 17th-seeded Maria Sakkari of Greece.