Teen queens Leylah Fernandez, Emma Raducanu take Indian Wells by storm

WATCH: Tennis Channel Live—Emma Raducanu's run to the US Open title

INDIAN WELLS, Calif.—If there’s an early takeaway from the grounds of Indian Wells, it’s that the excitement factor Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez co-created in New York hasn’t worn off in the slightest.

The pair of teenagers will forever be linked by their magnetic runs to the 2021 US Open final, where Raducanu prevailed to become the first qualifier in history to lift a major trophy. With Indian Wells hosting its combined 1000 event in October for the first time, it in turn provides regular attendees a unique opportunity to see incoming Slam champions and finalists beyond the Australian Open.

On Tuesday, Raducanu’s scheduled practice was moved from an obscure court to one with bleacher seating. Before she arrived, all prime viewing spots were occupied. On one particular staircase, a security team member had to repeatedly request fans move along to prevent a walkway from being blocked. The 18-year-old impressed observers during a series of drills that included working forehands to line up backhand down the line finishes.

As fate would have it, Fernandez appeared on the tournament’s infamous auxiliary field during the middle of Raducanu’s training session. When cries of ‘Leylah!’ carried over to Raducanu’s court, the Canadian drew a gathering of her own from atop the overlooking walkway as she filmed an upcoming installment of Tennis Channel’s ‘Bag Check’ in the blistering dry heat. Once the left-hander wrapped, a substantial horde called out her name hoping she would take the scenic route back to the player area. To their delight, Fernandez obliged, going down the line to meet the demand of autograph and selfie requests.

“You’ll be out here all day,” her agent joked as the two walked off.

Both Fernandez and Raducanu are making their BNP Paribas Open debuts. Unlike in Queens, both are seeded this time around, though Raducanu required a wild card to gain entry. Both have been flooded with opportunities off the court, yet both approached the question about the balancing act in a very similar manner during their pre-tournament press conferences Tuesday.

“I’m very lucky to have a great team around me to just let me focus on my craft, my tennis, and not be overwhelmed with everything that’s going on right now,” said Fernandez.

“I was just at home with my family. I didn’t really get too caught up in it. I just focused on my tennis and my training,” stated Raducanu, who is working with the LTA’s Jeremy Bates this tournament after ending her coaching trial with Andrew Richardson.

One exclusive invitation each received—and accepted—was a night out at the Met Gala. For Fernandez, who wore a Carolina Herrera dress inspired by Serena and Venus Williams and received advice from Maria Sharapova that evening, it was a momentous first-time occasion for a host of reasons.

“That was definitely an experience to get ready… putting on the heels for the very first time,” she explained. “I missed my homecoming, prom, practically every dance possible.

The one thing on my mind going up the stairs was don’t fall down. Just put one foot in front of the other.”

Taking it a step at a time is how Fernandez and her US Open adversary will aim to approach their first event since mesmerizing audiences In the Big Apple. Raducanu “just can’t wait to get started.” Neither can we.