Eugenie Bouchard’s Pickleball Journey: Eugenie Bouchard has officially stepped into the professional pickleball circuit, earning a No. 17 ranking, a signature paddle, and a place in major matches. However, the 2014 Wimbledon finalist insists she is not retired from tennis and continues to compete and practice while embracing the new challenge of pickleball.
Transitioning from Tennis to Pickleball
Bouchard, who turns 31 on February 25, first caught the attention of the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour during the 2023 U.S. Open. The association pitched her the idea of joining the sport to help grow pickleball’s popularity.
“After we got off the phone, I was like, ‘She can make a difference in pickleball. She can really help bring us to another level as far as eyeballs.’ When we understood that this is something Genie felt she can make a difference in and something that she really wanted to pursue and she wanted to give full effort, for us it was a no-brainer.” – (Connor Pardoe, founder and CEO of Carvana PPA Tour)
Following the conversation, Bouchard signed a three-year contract—with undisclosed terms—that allows her to compete in tennis and pickleball.
Early Struggles and Adjustments
Bouchard’s journey in pickleball has not been easy. Initially, she felt uncomfortable on the court and struggled to adjust to the sport’s unique gameplay, such as the importance of drop shots.
“I didn’t like it at first because I was losing and I felt uncomfortable and awkward on the pickleball court. It was like, ‘Put me on the last court so no one sees the train wreck that’s about to happen.’ But I’ve slowly found my footing.” – (Bouchard)
Despite her 8-18 doubles record and 18-19 singles record, Bouchard remains optimistic, setting simple goals like winning at least one match per tournament.
“Success is going to a tournament and leaving with at least a win.” – (Bouchard)
“For the first couple of tournaments, I would play singles, doubles and mixed doubles and be 0-3. There’s just something really defeating about flying to a city and being on that plane back having not even won one match. You’re like, ‘What am I doing here?’ So thankfully I started getting wins.” – (Bouchard)
Impact on Pickleball and Future Matches
Bouchard has played a significant role in boosting the sport’s popularity. The PPA Tour recently merged with Major League Pickleball (MLP) in February 2024, and over 320,000 fans attended pickleball events last year.
Her upcoming appearance at “Pickleball Slam 3” on Sunday in Las Vegas will see her team up with Andy Roddick to face Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf. The match, airing on ESPN, offers Bouchard a rare opportunity to compete alongside three tennis legends.
“I don’t even know how I got invited. It’s pretty crazy that I’m on the court with these three legends.” – (Bouchard)
Balancing Tennis and Pickleball
While pickleball is a new chapter, Bouchard continues her tennis career, currently ranked No. 1,288 in the WTA. She has earned $6.9 million in prize money, reached two Grand Slam semifinals, and represented Canada at the 2016 Olympics. Despite past injuries and setbacks, Bouchard remains passionate about both sports.
“I wouldn’t say burned out. I was just excited about a new opportunity.” – (Bouchard)
News in Brief: Eugenie Bouchard’s Pickleball Journey
Eugenie Bouchard, a former Wimbledon finalist, has embraced professional pickleball while continuing her tennis career. She is ranked No. 17 in pickleball and signed a three-year contract with the PPA Tour. Bouchard will compete in “Pickleball Slam 3” on Sunday, teaming up with Andy Roddick against Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf.
ALSO READ: Eugenie Bouchard Challenges Tennis Legends at Pickleball Slam 3—Agassi & Graf Respond!