Eugenie Bouchard, one of the most important figures in Canadian tennis history, has decided to retire. She’ll retire after playing the National Bank Open in Montreal, marking the end of an era for her—and for tennis in Canada. Off the court Bouchard was constantly making headlines with her stunning performances. She was involved with a recent concussion lawsuit against the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA), which has greatly shifted the course of her career and public perception.
In 2014, Bouchard had the time of his life. With that incredible run, she became the first Canadian woman in the Open Era to advance to a Grand Slam singles final. That season, she achieved extraordinary success, becoming the first player from her country to advance to the semifinals at the French Open and Australian Open. By October, she had reached a career-high world ranking of No. 5. Further, she won her first and only singles title at Nürnberg, reaching her career peak of No. 25 in the process, and qualified for the WTA Finals.
That all changed with a glorious turning point at the 2015 U.S. Open. Bouchard would go on to endure a critical head trauma after slipping on a wet locker room floor. The economic impact from this accident has largely healed. Consequently, she was unable to compete at the elite level of the sport for nearly two years. Click here for a jury’s decision in the suit, in favor of the USTA. An arbitrator apportioned 75% of the liability to the institution and 25% to Bouchard.
As she prepares for her final appearance at the National Bank Open, Bouchard reflects on her journey in professional tennis.
“You’ll know when it’s time. For me, it’s now. Ending where it all started: Montreal,” – Eugenie Bouchard
Valérie Tétreault, a great Canadian tennis figure, congratulated Eugenie Bouchard on awakening in Quebec the tennis passion.
“She has been one of the most important figures in the history of our sport in Canada and a trailblazer who redefined what Canadian tennis could be,” – Valérie Tétreault
In many ways, Bouchard’s journey served as an inspiration to the new wave of talented Canadian players. Her profound contributions to the sport have not gone unnoticed by Tennis Canada.
“Few athletes have left as profound a mark on Canadian tennis as Genie has throughout her extraordinary career,” – Gavin Ziv
Despite barely competing at the top level recently and falling out of the world’s top 1,000 players, Bouchard’s legacy remains intact. Her impact on Canadian tennis has been indelible. Now, with her retirement, we turn the page on a crucial chapter in the sport’s history.
“She’s 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,” – Tennis Canada representative
Despite barely competing at the top level recently and falling out of the world’s top 1,000 players, Bouchard’s legacy remains intact. Her influence on Canadian tennis has been significant, and her retirement marks the end of an important chapter in the sport’s history.
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