Canadian Star Eugenie Bouchard set to retire from professional Tennis after National Bank Open in Montreal – By Upali Obeyesekere
Image Source : dailymail
Wimbledon finalist and tennis glamour girl Eugenie Bouchard announces shock retirement at age of 31. Tennis Canada confirmed that Bouchard will be awarded a main draw wild card at the National Bank Open in Montreal for what will be her last WTA tournament. Fans will have the chance to come and cheer on their hometown hero one last time as she will be making her 15th career appearance at the Canadian tournament. She could be in action at IGA Stadium either on Sunday (July 27) or Monday (July 28), depending on the outcome of the official draw which will be held on Saturday, July 26, at 11 a.m.
Her breakout moment came in 2014 when she not only won her first singles title in Nuremberg, but also reached the Wimbledon final, becoming the first Canadian woman in the Open Era to contest a Grand Slam singles final. That same year, she also reached the semifinals at the Australian Open and the French Open, and qualified for the prestigious WTA Finals, cementing her place among the sport’s elite. Her meteoric rise was recognized with two major accolades: WTA Newcomer of the Year in 2013 and WTA Most Improved Player in 2014. She became the first Canadian-born player representing Canada to reach the final of a ‘grand slam’, finishing runner-up to Petra Kvitová. Bouchard also reached the semifinals of the 2014 Australian Open and 2014 French Open.
Bouchard’s thrilling Roland Garros and French Open run ends at semifinals.
Image Source : olympic.ca
Canadian star Eugenie Bouchard’s impressive run at the French Open ended at the semifinals on with Maria Sharapova winning 4-6, 7-5, 6-1. Despite the loss, Bouchard served notice that she is a force to be reckoned with in women’s tennis. The Canadian won a clay-court tournament in Germany before firing off five straight victories at Roland Garros, some in truly dominating fashion. Bouchard, 20, only turned pro in 2013 and is now poised to become the 12th ranked player in the world, moving up four spots after a stellar showing. Becoming the first Canadian woman to reach the quarterfinals at Roland Garros since Helen Kelesi in 1989, Bouchard then took it a step further, beating Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 7-5. Bouchard became the only player to reach the semifinals of two Grand Slams this year. Bouchard’s mastery over world ninth ranked German competitor Angelique Kerber 6-1, 6-2 was an eye-opener for anyone who hadn’t already noticed the budding superstar.
She’s now leaving the sport as one of the best Canadian players of all time with two WTA titles (one in singles, one in doubles), 11 finals appearances (seven in singles) and a total record of 299 wins and 230 losses. The former World No. 5 is bidding farewell to professional tennis having redefined the standard for women’s tennis in Canada and establishing herself as one of the nation’s most iconic sports figures.
A fierce competitor who had a deep commitment to represent her country; Bouchard played a key role in Canada’s efforts on the international stage. She competed at the Olympic Games in 2016 as well as in 10 Billie Jean King Cup ties, earning 13 victories across crucial matchups in World Group play and playoffs. In 2023, alongside Leylah Annie Fernandez, Rebecca Marino, Marina Stakusic and Gabriela Dabrowski, she helped Canada achieve one of its most historic sporting milestones: winning the Billie Jean King Cup — a first in Canadian history.
“Few athletes have left as profound a mark on Canadian tennis as Genie [Bouchard] has throughout her extraordinary career,” said Gavin Ziv, Chief Executive Officer, Tennis Canada. “As one of the very first players to ever be part of the National Tennis Centre presented by Rogers in Montreal, what she achieved in tennis was considered impossible at the time for Canadian players. Her career highlights, which include a Wimbledon final appearance and a Billie Jean King Cup championship, are nothing short of extraordinary and were a true catalyst for the development of tennis in our country. She has been and still is an incredible ambassador for our sport and, on behalf of Tennis Canada, I want to thank her for everything she’s done. We wish her continued success in the next chapter of her career.”
BOUCHARD TO RECEIVE NBO MAIN DRAW WILD CARD
“We are very honoured that Genie decided to retire at her home tournament in Montreal and we look forward to celebrating her career and lasting heritage with our fans,” said Valérie Tétreault, Tournament Director, National Bank Open presented by Rogers in Montreal. “She has been one of the most prominent figures in the history of our sport in Canada and a trailblazer who redefined what Canadian tennis could be. We are proud of everything she has done, as a player and role model, and we can’t wait to see her in action one last time at IGA Stadium this summer.”
