Leylah Annie & Family Foundation Partners with First Serve Miami to Empower Local Youth Through Tennis

Canadian tennis star Leylah Annie Fernandez and her family are teaming up with First Serve Miami in a new partnership designed to uplift youth through tennis. The collaboration aims to provide underserved children in the Miami area with access to tennis instruction, life skills training, and educational opportunities—all through the sport that has shaped Fernandez’s own path to success.

The Leylah Annie & Family Foundation, launched by Fernandez and her father-coach Jorge Fernandez, has consistently focused on youth empowerment and inclusion in sports. This new partnership with First Serve Miami—a nonprofit known for offering tennis and academic development programs to low-income youth—is a natural fit. Together, they plan to expand existing initiatives and introduce new programs that bring the game of tennis into the lives of more children who might not otherwise have access to it.

The initiative will emphasize more than just tennis skills. Fernandez and First Serve Miami both see sport as a platform for instilling discipline, confidence, and leadership in young people. Participants will benefit from mentorship opportunities, workshops on goal-setting and mental resilience, and academic tutoring to help them excel off the court as well. The partnership also intends to create pathways for scholarships and tournament participation, giving youth a tangible chance to pursue higher levels of play and education.

Leylah Annie Fernandez, who rose to international fame with her runner-up finish at the 2021 US Open, has remained vocal about the role her family and community have played in her career. Through her foundation, she’s now focused on creating that same level of support for the next generation. Miami, with its vibrant tennis culture and large youth population, provides an ideal setting to make a meaningful impact.

The collaboration is also expected to include community outreach events and youth tennis clinics where Fernandez will engage directly with participants. These sessions will provide not only instruction but also inspiration, as young players get to meet and learn from one of the sport’s rising stars.

This partnership between the Leylah Annie & Family Foundation and First Serve Miami reflects a growing trend in professional sports, where athletes leverage their platforms to create lasting social change. By investing in kids through tennis, the initiative hopes to serve as a catalyst for positive growth, on and off the court.