Eugenie Bouchard, the Canadian tennis player known for her remarkable early career and notable performances on the WTA Tour, has formally announced her retirement from professional tennis. This decision came as a heartfelt revelation on her social media platforms, where she shared that she plans to conclude her career in Montreal at the 2025 Canadian Open, a tournament that holds personal significance as her birthplace.
Bouchard’s rise in the tennis world was nothing short of meteoric. In 2013, she was recognized as the WTA’s Newcomer of the Year, advancing from a ranking of No. 144 to No. 32 within a year. That season, she made her first foray into WTA finals, reaching the championship match at the Japan Women’s Open, where she faced the seasoned Samantha Stosur but ultimately fell in a closely contested three-set match.
The following year, 2014, marked the pinnacle of her career. Bouchard showcased her talent by reaching the semifinals at both the Australian Open and the French Open, where she was bested by eventual champions Li Na and Maria Sharapova. Her crowning achievement came at Wimbledon, where she captivated audiences by advancing to the final after defeating formidable opponents, including Angelique Kerber and Simona Halep. However, in the final, she encountered Petra Kvitova, who dominated the match, winning decisively 6-3, 6-0.
Despite early expectations of continued success, Bouchard’s career pathway veered off course following her impressive run in 2014. After reaching another WTA 1000 final at the Wuhan Open in 2014, where she succumbed to Kvitova once more, her performance began to decline. A series of challenges, including a significant shoulder injury that forced her out of competition for 17 months and subsequent surgeries, hindered her comeback efforts.
Last year, Bouchard opened up about the pressures she faced during her peak years, particularly emphasizing the lack of dialogue regarding mental health at that time. This issue took a toll on her performance, as she struggled to adjust to the heightened expectations following her breakthrough success.
While her career had its ups and downs, Bouchard did manage to participate in some notable events after 2014, including helping Canada secure the Billie Jean King Cup title in 2023, where she contributed to the team’s success in doubles matches during the group stage.
In recent years, she has explored opportunities beyond tennis, including professional pickleball, garnering attention due to various incidents, including a public dispute with a teammate.
Though Bouchard’s professional trajectory did not reach the heights many initially forecasted, her achievements—especially reaching the Wimbledon final at just 20 years old—remain a testament to her talent. As she prepares to step away from the sport, Bouchard’s legacy as a former Grand Slam finalist and Billie Jean King Cup winner will be remembered with respect and admiration.
