Eugenie Bouchard feels old because of invitation from Luxembourg

She was once considered the greatest talent in Tennis Canada. With a mixture of playful skills, determination and charismatic charisma, Eugenie Bouchard conquered the international tennis stage in 2014. At the age of just 20, she won her first WTA title in Nuremberg (D), reached the semi-finals of a Grand Slam tournament twice and penetrated into the final in Wimbledon even without loss of sets. Within a single season, Bouchard climbed fifth in the women’s world rankings. The international press celebrated her as a new Maria Sharapova, who was supposed to be a glamorous career.

But the hoped -for breakthrough failed to materialize. Forms, injuries and probably also the constant pressure from the public led Bouchard to not do justice to expectations. Sometimes she fought for the connection in the following years, sometimes she disappeared almost completely from the scene. Until 2023, when she suddenly could be seen in her hand with another racket.

« I discovered pickle ball in pandemic times when I played repeatedly with friends. At that time I was actually still focused on tennis, but this new sport fascinated me, » says Bouchard. At the end of 2023, the 31-year-old made headlines when she signed a three-year contract with the professional pickleball league PPA in the United States: « My agent told me about the plans of this league and the associated opportunities. I did not want to miss the opportunity to take part in these events and to miss a growing movement. »

Difficult start

Her first attempts were initially smiled at, but Bouchard has now become more than established in the pickle ball. It ranks 17th in the ranking and denies the most popular tournaments. « It was indeed a bumpy beginning. »

« With a view to my tennis career, many – I included – assumed that I would go to the pitch and win. But at the first tournaments I was really destroyed. The level is high, the best players have been training for years and sometimes do nothing else. Even if there are similarities to the tennis, Pickleball demands completely different skills. will lead, ”says Bouchard.

But she also likes to look back on her sporting beginnings, which she has not quite let go to this day: « I can be lucky that I was allowed to do these experiences on the WTA tour. My career started very early and I had to bring a lot of victims to get where I stood in between. The results of 2014 were the wages for the hard work that I put into this career. I could not build the following years, I am very proud of my tennis career. ”

The fact that Bouchard may not always make the right decisions is reluctant to leave her. « Of course I would have made different decisions differently, maybe prevent some injuries. But I am at peace with me. I acted to the best of a conscience and knowledge at all times of my career – that makes me sleep calmly at night. I don’t blame myself, » she says.

Your presence on social media has not changed. From the beginning, Bouchard had her followers (now 2.3 million on Instagram) participated in her way and did not only act positive reactions. « If you share your life as openly as I do, it doesn’t always come to understanding – I am aware of it. There are people who react with negative comments for no apparent reason. Even if such words are not always easy to cope with, they have never been off. World ranking fifth.

In October, Bouchard will take part in the Luxembourg Ladies Tennis Masters for the first time. The invitation initially caused mixed feelings. « When I got the news, I suddenly felt old. A legend tournament – and that at just 31, » she smiles.

Nevertheless, she said: « During my active career I was in Luxembourg several times and I am happy to return there. I like the format. The pressure may be less high than with a regular WTA tournament, but all players start with full commitment. I will also prepare intensively for this event, I don’t want to embarrass myself. »