Leylah Fernandez and Felix Auger-Aliassime have been announced as the recipients of the 2023 Tennis Canada Excellence Awards for Player of the Year and Singles Player of the Year in the women’s and men’s categories, respectively.
Fernandez, who has now secured the Women’s Player of the Year and Women’s Singles Player of the Year titles for the fourth consecutive year, had an exceptional year. She achieved her third WTA singles title in Hong Kong, made it to the final of the French Open doubles event, and played a key role in leading Canada to its first-ever Billie Jean King Cup title in 2023.
In expressing her excitement and gratitude, Fernandez took to social media to share her disbelief at winning the award. She thanked her supporters and voters, expressing her amazement at receiving both Player of the Year and the BJK Finals Heart Award.
Meanwhile, Auger-Aliassime was named Men’s Player of the Year and Men’s Singles Player of the Year for the third consecutive year. The 23-year-old’s remarkable performance included winning the ATP Swiss Indoors for the second year in a row and contributing to Team World’s Laver Cup triumph.
In addition to Fernandez and Auger-Aliassime, other worthy recipients of the Tennis Canada awards included Gabriela Dabrowski and Vasek Pospisil for Doubles Player of the Year, Marina Stakusic and Gabriel Diallo for Most Improved Player of the Year, Nadia Lagaev and Keegan Rice for Junior Players of the Year, Rob Shaw for Wheelchair Tennis Player of the Year award, and Natalia Lanucha for Most Improved Wheelchair Tennis Player of the Year.
This year’s winners demonstrate the exceptional talent and achievements within the Canadian tennis community, and their dedication to the sport is truly commendable. Congratulations to all the award recipients, and here’s to another fantastic year of Canadian tennis!