In a poignant moment on her hometown court, Eugenie Bouchard delivered a spirited and heartfelt farewell to professional tennis, concluding her career with a hard-fought loss at the National Bank Open.
The 31-year-old Canadian tennis sensation, hailing from Westmount, Quebec, bravely competed against 17th seed Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, ultimately falling 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in a compelling second-round match. Despite the defeat, Bouchard’s assertive game showed flashes of the form that propelled her to world No. 5 in 2014, electrifying the Montreal crowd.
Reflecting on her journey, Bouchard expressed gratitude for the sport that defined a significant part of her life. “I’ve given so much to tennis, and it’s given me so much, but I do feel ready to move on from that and do other things in life, but I will forever be grateful for what tennis has given me,” she shared, marking her official tennis retirement.
Her final tournament run extended remarkably with a throwback first-round upset against Emiliana Arango, securing her first WTA Tour victory since 2023. This unexpected win set the stage for her emotional exit, rekindling memories of her past triumphs for fans.
Bouchard’s career peaked in a banner 2014 season, where she secured her sole WTA singles title, reached the semifinals of both the Australian Open and French Open, and notably became the first Canadian to compete in a Grand Slam singles final at Wimbledon, showcasing immense promise.
However, her meteoric rise at just 20 years old was swiftly followed by a challenging period. A significant loss at Wimbledon, coupled with early exits from subsequent Grand Slams and accumulating losing streaks, marked a downturn in her performance. A concussion sustained from a locker room slip further complicated her career trajectory, leading to a lawsuit and withdrawal from a promising US Open run.
In recent years, the former Canadian tennis star has played sporadically on the professional circuit, increasingly dedicating her time to the PPA Pickleball Tour, where she currently ranks 12th in singles. Her participation in the WTA 125 Hall of Fame Open in July served as a prelude to her final professional tennis event.
The Montreal audience, packing IGA Stadium, passionately chanted “Let’s Go Genie!” throughout the warm summer night, standing for multiple ovations. Bouchard’s final words to the crowd, recalling her childhood dreams of playing on that very court, underscored the profound personal significance of her tennis retirement in her hometown.
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