Leylah Fernandez has homework to do after advancing at Roland Garros, talks Justine Henin

FLASHBACK: Fernandez spoke to Steve Weissman after advancing in Charleston.

PARIS—Most players are channeling all of their focus into the Roland Garros fortnight that lies ahead. As a student-athlete Leylah Fernandez has to multitask a bit.

“Right now I just want to enjoy my evening, enjoy with my team, have a nice dinner and relax and also catch up on homework,” she laughed after edging past Australian Open semifinalist Magda Linette in three sets.

The 2021 US Open runner-up has a stressful week in front of her as she defends quarterfinal points earned 12 months earlier. It was at this event that Fernandez sustained a foot injury that derailed her 2022 season and has left her playing catch-up ever since.

Still, the ever-optimistic IU East business major isn’t diverting from the plan as she prepares to take on Clara Tauson in a rematch of their 2019 Australian Open junior final.

“It's difficult to remember,” she said in press on Sunday, admitting that memories of her runner-up finish to the Dane were hazy. “She's a very good player. She reached the Top 50 at the same time more or less as I did, but then she had injuries and had to stop for a while

“She works as hard as all the players here, and it's going to be a very good second-round match.”

Fernandez would never say it, but given her extra obligations, one could argue the 20-year-old is working just a bit harder to achieve her dream of winning a major title, but she is able to draw inspiration from idols like Justine Henin, who won Roland Garros for the first time 20 years ago.

“Growing up I've always wanted a one-handed backhand,” she said of the similarly diminutive Henin. “When I did try, it was a lot of fun, but it was super hard to control. And to be able to control a heavy, fast ball the way that she did, it was incredible.

“I think it's inspiring to see a player who technically isn't that big, that tall, being able to put taller and powerful players uncomfortable.”

Though she takes a slightly different approach, Fernandez has been able to do the same with opponents since she burst onto the scene in 2021, and is aiming to do that again against Tauson and more in Paris this week.

But first, homework.