Mexico’s Lya Fernandez celebrated her 15th birthday in style by sealing the biggest title of her career – her first in the professional ranks – with victory at W15 Cancun.

Fernandez, who contested her maiden ITF World Tennis Tour final the week before, made no mistake this time around, rounding off an impressive week on home soil by dispatching France’s Sophia Biolay to claim silverware.

Not only did her success prove the perfect birthday present, but Fernandez – the recipient of a Grand Slam Player Grant, financed through the Grand Slam Player Development Programme, earlier this year – also secured a piece of history.

By conquering all before her in Cancun, Fernandez became the youngest player, man or woman, from Central America to top the podium at an ITF World Tennis Tour event.

“It is a great achievement,” Fernandez told itftennis.com. “I consider this to be the first step of many that I have to climb to achieve my goal. I am going to continue training hard and preparing myself for the challenges that will be more difficult every day.”

Present to witness Fernandez’s triumph was Cecilia Ancalmo, the ITF’s Development Officer for Central America, who in the aftermath of victory was more than happy to provide a little insight into the teenager’s character and desire to improve.

“Lya is very focused and dedicated to pursuing a career in tennis,” Ancalmo told itftennis.com.

“I was very fortunate to be at the facility when she played the final of this W15 tournament and watched her compete with much determination. She looked very strong, both physically and mentally, and played aggressively.

“Lya is benefiting from the work of the Mexican Tennis Federation, who have built and continue to improve a well-stocked calendar of ITF World Tennis Tour tournaments, both junior and professional, many of which are in Cancun.

“She also has the support of her family who are located in Cancun, which enables her to train and compete at the Cancun Tennis Academy as she builds her ranking at ITF World Tennis Tour events.”

This achievement was the most recent high of a progressive campaign for Fernandez, who secured her first ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors crown in Cancun – clearly a happy hunting ground – only weeks ago.

Her latest triumph puts Fernandez within touching distance of the top 1000 in the WTA rankings and follows receipt of the aforementioned ITF-administered Grand Slam Player Grant earlier in the season.

Fernandez was one of 44 players to receive Grand Slam Player Grants in 2022, with the overriding objective being to encourage and increase competitive opportunities for players from developing tennis regions. That $12,500 grant is certainly paying an early dividend.

“Receiving financial assistance through the Grand Slam Player Development Programme means everything,” said Fernandez. “Thanks to this I have been able to develop my tennis in a better way.

“Now I have access to other tools that I did not have before, and I am very grateful. I am going to show that I can be the best.”

Ancalmo added: “It is very positive that she has the support of the Grand Slam Player Development Programme, particularly at this stage of her career. Having those funds to support her preparation and competition is so valuable.”