ROME, May 12, 2026, 16:03 CEST
- After falling to Rebeka Masarova in a three-set battle at the Italian Open, Leylah Fernandez shared photos from Rome alongside Vincent Boily.
- Canadian para ice hockey player Boily played a key role in securing silver for Canada at the 2026 Milano Cortina Paralympics.
- Fernandez is still competing on clay, set to face Anna Blinkova in the opening round at the WTA 125 tournament in Paris.
Leylah Fernandez grabbed headlines in Rome this week, but not for her tennis—after bowing out early from the Italian Open, the Canadian posted photos alongside boyfriend Vincent Boily, sparking fresh buzz off the court.
The timing of the post is notable—right in the middle of a tight, demanding clay schedule for Fernandez, who’s looking to find some rhythm after a bumpy start to the season ahead of Roland Garros. The WTA has her ranked No. 23, sitting on a 9-11 record for the year. That early exit in Rome didn’t leave her with much breathing room before Paris comes up next.
Fernandez fell to Rebeka Masarova, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, in the round of 64 at the Italian Open—a WTA 1000 tournament sitting just below the majors in prominence. According to the WTA match page, the Rome clay-court duel lasted 2 hours and 23 minutes.
Shortly afterward, Fernandez shared what she described as “some Rome archives,” posting photos from around the city with Boily. According to Pro Football Network, the images featured a nighttime view near Ponte Sant’Angelo, a selfie by the Colosseum, plus a comment from Boily: “Bellissima.” Pro Football Sports Network
The Times of India reported that Fernandez and Boily made stops at the Trevi Fountain and sat down for dinner outdoors—details highlighted in a social-media post that shifted the focus away from the match’s score, putting their outing in Rome front and center.
Boily, 25, brings more than celebrity credentials. He’s a para ice hockey forward, according to the Canadian Paralympic Committee, with three world championships under his belt and a crucial role in Canada’s silver-medal finish at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games — that’s the sled hockey format for athletes with physical impairments.
Hockey Canada reported that Canada’s Paralympic Hockey Team took silver, falling 6-2 to the United States in the gold-medal matchup on March 15 in Milan. Coach Boris Rybalka called himself “very proud of the group,” but noted that Canada’s target was gold and said they “came up short.” Hockey Canada
Fernandez credits Boily’s experience as a turning point for her own mindset. Speaking to Le Journal de Québec in April, she described how learning about Vincent and his past pushed her “not always see the negative.” She also noted that things between them had gotten serious, with both trying to make time for each other between their trips. Journal de Québec
Tennis action continues, with the WTA’s Paris 125 draw showing Fernandez, seeded second, facing Anna Blinkova in the round of 32 at the Trophée Clarins. This lower-tier pro tournament is a common stop for players looking to notch a few matches on clay ahead of bigger events.
The risk is clear enough—photos won’t turn around a losing streak. Fernandez came up short in Rome after a season where the WTA still has her under .500, and if she exits early again in Paris, she’ll have even less match sharpness as the French Open stretch picks up.
This week started with a loss, but the Rome images gave it a more personal flavor. Next up: clay courts. That’s where Fernandez has to deliver results—attention won’t cut it.
