Leylah Fernandez Debuts New Boyfriend Vincent Boily in Rome After Italian Open Shock

Canadian tennis sensation Leylah Fernandez saw her clay-court momentum stall in Rome last week, but the 23-year-old is already turning heads on and off the court as she looks ahead to the European swing’s next stop. Italian Open Exit Leaves Fernandez Re-Calculating Seeded No. 25, Fernandez fell 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to Switzerland’s Rebeka Masarova in the Italian Open round of 64. The Canadian struggled with five double faults and converted just one of 10 break-point chances, while Masarova won 95 percent of her first-serve points in the decider. The early loss cost Fernandez valuable ranking points and leaves her with limited match play before Roland-Garros. Rome Romance Goes Viral Despite the on-court disappointment, Fernandez lit up social media after confirming a budding relationship with Canadian Paralympian Vincent Boily. Photos of the pair sightseeing at the Colosseum and tossing coins into the Trevi Fountain quickly trended, giving fans a rare glimpse of the usually private left-hander’s personal life. The feel-good story has amplified interest in Fernandez during a crucial stretch of the season. Eyes on Strasbourg and Roland-Garros Fernandez is slated to headline the WTA 500 Internationaux de Strasbourg beginning 17 May, a tournament she views as a tune-up for Paris. Her projected first-round opponent is French wild card Kristina Mladenovic, a matchup that should provide Fernandez with a confidence-building opportunity on clay. Should she rediscover the aggressive return game that propelled her to the 2021 US Open final, the Laval native could enter Roland-Garros with renewed belief. What Fernandez Needs to Fix 1. First-serve percentage: She landed only 58 percent in Rome. 2. Second-serve protection: Five double faults against Masarova proved costly. 3. Return conversion: One break from 10 chances will not suffice against top-40 opponents. Marketing Magnet Between her Adidas kit, Babolat sponsorship and new social-media buzz, Fernandez’s brand visibility is soaring. Expect her growing popularity—bolstered by bilingual interviews and a charismatic off-court presence—to translate into packed stands in Strasbourg and extra prime-time slots in Paris. Bottom Line A surprise Italian Open exit is a setback, but Leylah Fernandez’s combination of fighting spirit, fresh off-court happiness and a favorable lead-up schedule keeps her firmly on the radar. Fans searching for the latest on the rising Canadian star will be watching Strasbourg closely to see whether Rome was a blip—or the spark that reignites her 2026 season.