Eugenie Bouchard Shocks Fans: Eugenie Bouchard is making her return to professional tennis this July at the Hall of Fame Open in Rhode Island. After stepping away to compete in pickleball, the Canadian athlete has received a wildcard to enter her first WTA tournament since 2023.
Eugenie Bouchard once ranked among the top tennis players in the world and was a finalist at Wimbledon. She shifted to pickleball after injuries and challenges affected her tennis career. In pickleball, she found quick success and now ranks 12th globally in the sport.
A Shift in Focus
While playing pickleball, Eugenie Bouchard joined other former tennis players such as Jack Sock and Donald Young in the fast-growing sport. Pickleball gave Bouchard a new stage to compete, and she became one of its top athletes in a short time.
Still, Bouchard missed tennis. Her love for the game and desire to play at the highest level brought her back. Her return starts with a high-profile event, and fans are eager to see her in action again.
Balancing Two Sports
Officials who announced her wildcard said they were excited to welcome Eugenie Bouchard back to the WTA. They spoke about her past achievements and how she has fans around the world. Bouchard shared her thoughts about returning, saying she hopes to keep playing both sports.
“Eugenie Bouchard is returning to tennis at the Hall of Fame Open! With a career highlighted by a Wimbledon final, multiple WTA titles and a global fanbase, Genie’s return promises exciting matches and unforgettable moments.” – (official announcement)
“I’m going to put tennis tournaments in where I can fit them in my schedule. Tennis is what I love and what I still want to keep doing.” – (Bouchard)
Even though she now focuses on pickleball, Bouchard plans to take part in select tennis events. This means learning to switch between the two games, which require different strategies and skills.
“The pickleball schedule is the priority but I do want to insert those tennis tournaments. I want to achieve whatever I can. I’m not doing a full-time tennis schedule, so of course, I need to understand that there will be limitations.” – (Bouchard)
“I think I want to do as well as I can in each individual tournament and see where that goes. But I love tennis and it’s not something I want to give up yet at all.” – (Bouchard)
“The strategy is so different. For 25 years I was taught that a short ball is bad, but in pickleball, the little dinks are what you want. Rewiring my brain like that has been the hardest part because I’m so instinctive when I play tennis.” – (Bouchard)
What Comes Next
With her return to tennis, Eugenie Bouchard adds a new chapter to her career. Fans and sports experts are watching closely to see how she performs after her time away. Her comeback could inspire other athletes to explore more than one sport while continuing to chase their goals.
News in Brief: Eugenie Bouchard Shocks Fans
Eugenie Bouchard will return to WTA tennis this July at the Hall of Fame Open after a successful time playing pro pickleball. Once a top tennis star, she now plans to play both sports. Her comeback is being closely followed by fans and sports experts around the world.
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