Genie Bouchard Bids Tennis Farewell: Genie Bouchard played her last professional tennis match on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the National Bank Open in Montreal. The 31-year-old Canadian lost in three sets to Belinda Bencic. After the match, Bouchard confirmed her retirement from professional tennis and announced her full-time switch to pickleball.
Emotional farewell on home soil
Eugenie “Genie” Bouchard said goodbye to tennis fans in her hometown after a close second-round match. She was defeated 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 by Belinda Bencic, the No. 17 seed, at Center Court in IGA Stadium. The crowd gave her a loud cheer during her farewell speech.
“It’s so special to play my last match here in Montreal. I remember being a kid, sitting in these stands, dreaming I would play on these courts one day,”
she said during a tearful goodbye speech.
“It feels like such a full-circle moment to finish my career here.”
Bouchard had earlier won her first WTA Tour match since 2023. She beat Emiliana Arango 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 in the first round. Fans celebrated the win with loud support in the stands.
From Grand Slam star to new beginnings
Genie Bouchard made tennis history in 2014. She became the first Canadian-born player representing Canada to reach the final of a major singles tournament. That year, she played Petra Kvitová in the Wimbledon final.
She also reached the semifinals at both the Australian Open and the French Open in 2014. At the height of her career, she was ranked No. 5 in the world.
Earlier this month, Bouchard had already shared that this would be her last tennis tournament. She thanked her fans in Montreal for their support through the years.
“I would like to thank the fans. Your passion is incredible,” “The way you support players from here, that’s something I will never forget.”(Genie Bouchard)
Turning to a new sport: pickleball
With her tennis career now over, Genie Bouchard will focus on playing pickleball. She turned professional in pickleball in 2024. Since then, she has been taking part in events on the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP).
She is now expected to compete full-time in the fast-growing paddle sport.
What it means for fans and Canadian tennis
Genie Bouchard’s retirement marks the end of a special tennis career for Canada. Her success inspired many young players and brought more attention to tennis in the country. Now, her move to pickleball could help grow that sport, too.
Fans will be watching closely as Bouchard begins this new chapter in her athletic career.
News in Brief: Genie Bouchard Bids Tennis Farewell
Genie Bouchard retired from tennis after losing to Belinda Bencic in Montreal. The 31-year-old thanked fans and said it was special to end her career at home. A former Wimbledon finalist, she will now play pickleball full-time after turning pro in 2024.
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