It’s the end of an era for Canadian tennis fans.
Eugenie Bouchard, once hailed as one of the sport’s most glamorous rising stars, has announced she’s retiring from professional tennis at the age of 31.
And fittingly, she’s choosing to bow out in her hometown of Montreal, where her journey first began.
One Last Match at Home
Bouchard will play her final professional match later this month at the National Bank Open in Montreal.
She’s been given a wild card entry by Tennis Canada for what will be her farewell appearance on court.
In an emotional post on social media, Bouchard shared photos from across her career and wrote: “You’ll know when it’s time. For me, it’s now. Ending where it all started: Montreal.”
The 2014 Breakthrough That Put Her on the Map
Back in 2014, Bouchard shot to global fame. She became the first Canadian-born woman to reach a Grand Slam singles final, battling her way to the Wimbledon final before losing to Petra Kvitova.
That same year, she also reached the semifinals at both the Australian and French Opens, and climbed to No. 5 in the WTA rankings.
Her performances made her a household name—not just in Canada, but around the world.
A Promising Career Cut Short by Injuries
But the promising start to her career was quickly derailed.
In 2015, Bouchard suffered a serious concussion after slipping on a wet floor in the locker room at the US Open.
She had to pull out of the tournament, and the injury marked a turning point.
She later sued the US Tennis Association, and a jury found the organization 75% at fault for the accident.
While she did return to competition, Bouchard was never quite the same.
Injuries continued to plague her, and her form declined over the years.
From Court to Camera: Embracing the Spotlight
As her rankings dipped, Bouchard found herself drawn into the world of endorsements, fashion, and celebrity.
She appeared in several high-profile sponsorship campaigns, walked red carpets, and made Forbes’ list of the top 10 highest-paid female athletes in both 2017 and 2018.
That shift came with criticism, particularly online, where she was often accused of not being committed enough to tennis.
Speaking Out About the Social Media Scrutiny
In a 2024 interview with The Times, Bouchard opened up about the double standards she faced for having a public life beyond tennis.
“Back in the day, I could train six hours a day, post one thing about going to the movies, and I’d get hate for it,” she said.
“Social media wasn’t an exact representation of my day. People judged so easily.”
She said she often felt boxed in, with others expecting her to focus solely on tennis, despite the opportunities the sport had given her to explore fashion, TV, and other interests.
“It was a burden I bore,” she admitted. “At least now, it’s more accepted to do things outside of tennis
. I don’t think I was the only pioneer, but I feel like I helped make it more normal.”
A Quiet Transition to Pickleball and Final Goodbye
In recent years, Bouchard has mostly stepped away from tennis, playing just one match on tour this season.
She’s even dabbled in pickleball, a sport growing in popularity, particularly in North America.
Still, her contribution to Canadian tennis hasn’t been forgotten.
In 2023, she helped Canada win its first-ever Billie Jean King Cup title, a proud moment in her career.
Her overall singles record stands at 299 wins and 230 losses.
A Trailblazer for Canadian Tennis
Valérie Tétreault, tournament director of the National Bank Open, praised Bouchard’s impact:
“She has been one of the most important figures in the history of our sport in Canada—a trailblazer who redefined what Canadian tennis could be.”
Fans are now looking forward to seeing her play one last time at IGA Stadium in Montreal.
The National Bank Open kicks off on July 26, and it promises to be an emotional sendoff for a player who captured hearts and headlines.
What’s Next for Genie?
While she’s leaving behind her playing days, Bouchard’s not disappearing.
With her media presence, fashion ties, and growing interest in other sports, it’s likely we’ll still be seeing plenty of her—just not from the baseline.
For many fans, though, this retirement feels like closing the chapter on a bold and unforgettable era in Canadian tennis.
And there’s no better place to end it than where it all began.