Eugenie Bouchard’s Take on Fashion and Mental Health: Eugenie Bouchard isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. After more than 25 years of playing tennis, the Canadian athlete is adding a new sport to her impressive roster: pickleball. Balancing her career in the Women’s Tennis Association with the Pro Tour of Pickleball (PPA), the 30-year-old Montreal native relishes the chance to push herself on both courts. For Bouchard, each match is not merely a competition but a new opportunity to grow, to learn, and to redefine her limits.
A Heart-to-Heart with Her 20-Year-Old Self
Reflecting on her journey, Bouchard recalls the whirlwind of becoming a professional athlete at just 20 years old. Her career skyrocketed when she became the first Canadian to reach the Women’s finals at Wimbledon, an achievement that thrust her into the global spotlight. Yet, with fame comes inspection, and with a decade of experience behind her, she wishes she could sit down with her younger self and share some hard-earned wisdom.
“Don’t let outside voices influence you,” she advises, recalling the overwhelming noise of public opinion. “I was thrust into the spotlight at 20, and you start seeing all these things about you and hearing all these things about you. Even if you try to avoid it by not reading stuff on social media, it still gets brought to your attention.”
The constant commentary following her performances weighed heavily on her. Bouchard describes how post-tennis press conferences often reinforce public perception, making it impossible to ignore the noise surrounding her.
“Don’t take it as the truth,” she emphasizes. “People don’t know what’s really going on, and they don’t know what you’re doing on a day-to-day basis… Why would you take advice and listen to an opinion of someone who doesn’t know you and hasn’t been where you want to go anyway?”
Finding Peace in ‘Good Enough’
Bouchard’s journey with perfectionism has been both an asset and a detriment, a dual-edged sword that has shaped her professional path. Through introspection and therapy, she’s learning to embrace the notion of things being “good enough.”
“Sometimes I’ll procrastinate doing something because I want to wait until I can do it perfectly, and then I’ll put all this pressure and stress on myself to make it perfect,” she explains. “Those incremental percentages of things being better are not worth the amount of stress that it takes to get them.” This revelation is a turning point for her, a reminder that sometimes the pursuit of perfection can cloud the joy of simply playing the game.
Game-Changing Advice
Throughout her career, Bouchard has absorbed countless pieces of advice that resonate beyond the court. Coaches and mentors have instilled in her the importance of mental resilience.
“The biggest thing was from coaches telling me not to limit myself mentally,” she states, reflecting on the subconscious barriers we often erect for ourselves. “I think we do it subconsciously as humans because we’re so scared of failure that we don’t even allow ourselves to dream big enough or not set high enough goals.”
Hearing her coaches’ unwavering belief in her abilities opened her eyes to the many limitations she had placed on herself.
“It taught me to try and get rid of that ceiling and try my best and see what happens,” she says. This mentality, she believes, is crucial not just in sports but in life itself.
Emerging as a Style Favourite On and Off the Court
On the court, Bouchard prioritizes function over fashion, favoring tennis skirts and shorts that allow her to perform at her peak. Yet, off the court, she has become a style inspiration for many young women, frequently turning heads at red carpet events and while enjoying her go-to Grey Goose espresso martinis.
“I like incorporating clean and simple silhouettes with some classic pieces and more fun colors that still allow me to express myself with a little fashion flair,” she notes. “You can often find me in a classy dress or a cute matching set. You can never go wrong with either one.”
Her social media presence further amplifies her influence, where she regularly shares her favorite looks and personal style tips with fans, blending her athletic identity with a keen sense of fashion.
No Regrets in Life, and in Style
Growing up, Bouchard always admired Anna Kournikova’s ability to merge sport with fashion seamlessly, a combination that has influenced her own style evolution. As she matures, she gravitates towards pieces that bring her joy—bright patterns, colorful dresses, and fun accessories that reflect her personality.
“I don’t think I have one specific trend that I regret trying,” she admits, laughing at the thought. “But there are a few looks from the early 2000s that I probably wouldn’t have worn had it not been the early 2000s.” This light-hearted acknowledgment showcases her growth, both as an athlete and an individual finding her unique voice in the world of style.
On Balancing Pickleball and Tennis
Despite their similarities, Bouchard acknowledges the stark differences between pickleball and tennis.
“It’s not easy,” she admits, referencing the “big learning curve” she faced when transitioning between the two sports. The nuances—new types of shots, a different paddle, and a unique ball—presented challenges that were hard to navigate initially.
“I think people had expectations of me to do well right away on the pro pickleball tour, and I did not,” she reflects candidly. Yet, despite the hurdles, she believes that pickleball has ultimately improved her tennis game.
“I feel like I have better hands when I play tennis now… I now feel comfortable at the net,” she says, highlighting how embracing the new sport has enhanced her overall skills. For Bouchard, each court is a chance to redefine her limits, proving that with each challenge comes the potential for growth.
News in Brief: Eugenie Bouchard’s Take on Fashion and Mental Health
Eugenie Bouchard, the 30-year-old tennis and pickleball player, reflects on her career and mental health in a recent interview. She emphasizes the importance of ignoring critics, advising her younger self, “Don’t take it as the truth.” Bouchard is learning to embrace the concept of “good enough,” moving beyond perfectionism. As she balances both sports, she acknowledges the distinct challenges of pickleball and its positive impact on her tennis skills. With her growing influence in fashion, she combines sport with personal style, inspired by icons like Anna Kournikova, while joyfully exploring her evolving fashion sense.
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