Newly minted Hong Kong Tennis Open champion Leylah Fernandez insists she and Emma Raducanu can get back to the “highest level” and challenge for grand slams again.

Canadian Fernandez, partly of Filipino heritage, was on the losing side against British star Raducanu, whose mother is Chinese, in the 2021 US open final. But the New York showpiece still seemed to herald the possible start of a new era in women’s tennis, dominated by two young players with Asian blood.

Then aged 19, Fernandez defeated three top-five players en route to the final, including defending champion Naomi Osaka, while Raducanu became the first qualifier ever to win a grand slam.

But their fortunes have both suffered since. Fernandez saw her ranking drop from No 13 to 60th in the world, amid “a lot of ups and downs”, and her victory in Victoria Park on Sunday marked her first title in 19 months.

Raducanu, now 20 and ranked No 282 in the world, has failed to hit anything remotely close to the heights of her shock triumph at Flushing Meadows, however.

“Well, 2021 was a special tournament for both of us, we both did extraordinary things not many people get to experience,” Fernandez told the Post after her thrilling three-set win over seven-time doubles grand slam champion Katerina Siniakova on Centre Court in Causeway Bay.

“I was able to beat a couple of top-10 players, ex-champions. Emma, she came through the qualifying, so we both had to go through some difficulties, and afterwards, I think it was hard on both of us adjusting to the new life.

Fernandez battles back to win thrilling Hong Kong Tennis Open final

“But at least for me, I tried to surround myself with a great group of people. I know Emma is working hard, I know she is hungry, she has something to prove, so I’m sure she’s going to come back and play some great tennis.

“Hopefully we do see her because she is great for the sport. She has got something special for the WTA and for women’s tennis. Hopefully we can both compete at the highest level once again side by side.”

Fernandez, who has seen her world ranking shoot up 17 spots to No 43, admitted she struggled to keep her feet on the ground after her US Open heroics, which compounded by her injury problems led to a swift fall from grace.

“It is extremely hard,” she said. “In the past, you think that you are grounded and you are the same person, quote unquote, but the reality is we grow and we mature, and sometimes what happens to us is we don’t want to see the truth.

“I’m very happy and glad that I do have my parents and a good team around me that tell me the truth even though I don’t like it. They help me stay grounded.

“Right now, I know what it feels like to, let’s say, not be grounded. I know what it feels like to have my head up in the clouds, to take it easy.

“But I also know what I need to do to get back on track. Now I’ve got a plan, I’m clear minded and know what I need to do. Hopefully the results keep coming, and hopefully the good times aren’t done, but I’m just going to enjoy my time right now.”

Finally back in the winner’s circle, Fernandez insisted her success in Hong Kong can be a springboard for next season, where she will look to make a splash in the majors once again.

“For me, my big goal is always to win a grand slam every year,” she added. “It’s always going to be tough. There’s a lot of great, very talented players. I’m just going to try to take it one point at a time, one tournament at a time.

“That’s the most important thing – be happy with that, and I’ll be able to execute my game as much as possible.

“The goal is to be top 10, but I think the main focus is to stay humble and grounded and to keep working. My coach – my dad – has always said that every day is a new day, and we start from zero, especially in tennis.

“So I rather keep working hard and giving my best attitude on court, and keep playing the way I’m playing.”

When Fernandez clinched her second championship point, she smiled and turned to her box on Centre Court.

But there were “a lot of emotions” going through her “head and body” – happiness to end her barren run, but also sadness that her father could not be there, as he was back home in Florida.

“I was glad my performance coach was there but I also hoped that my family, my coach – who is also my dad – was going to be there to congratulate me and give me a smile back,” she said.

“I already called him [her father], actually, and he was awake for my match. He’s a little tired, he’s sleeping at the moment, so I’m going to let him sleep and hopefully we can talk a little bit more in the morning.

“But I was able to use his learnings to get through it and fight, and I was just happy.”