Genie Bouchard’s Pickleball Journey: Genie Bouchard’s move to the PPA Tour in September 2023 was expected to make waves in the pickleball scene. With a stellar tennis career that saw her climb to World No. 5 in 2014, the 30-year-old Canadian brought both star power and considerable athletic skill to her new sport. The shift from tennis to pickleball, while promising to stir excitement, has come with its fair share of challenges. Nevertheless, Bouchard has been making good on the anticipation that accompanied her transition.
Adjusting to the Pickleball Court
Bouchard’s transition from tennis to pickleball was always going to be a journey. Stepping onto the smaller 20×44 court presented a challenge she anticipated. “I started out and I lost a bunch of matches right off the bat. That was a little bit to be expected from my end,” she remarked. The expectation from the public was high; many believed that Bouchard’s tennis pedigree would seamlessly translate to pickleball success.
Yet, she was realistic about the learning curve involved. “I feel outward expectations were different. People thought I could come in and start killing it, which isn’t fair to all my opponents. I’m playing against bona fide professionals in pickleball, and they’ve been playing this specific game and studying the skill sets for years.”
A First Victory and Growing Confidence
Despite the rocky start, Bouchard eventually clinched her first victory at the Fanatics Sportsbook North Carolina Cup, where she wins in women’s singles against Lauren Stratman. This win proved crucial.
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“When I finally won a match, that kind of got the monkey off my back, so to speak,” she explained. The victory helped ease her tension and boosted her confidence. “Since then, I’ve definitely felt more relaxed,” Bouchard added. For her, success on the court has been a blend of practice, tactical learning, and gaining the experience necessary to compete at a high level. “It’s just taken time on the court to build up my skills. It takes practice, reps, and matches to understand how your opponent is beating you, and then you go practice and work on tactics to compete against what they’re doing to you.”
Teaching and Sharing Insights
As Bouchard continues to refine her game, she has also ventured into teaching, hosting her first pickleball clinic in Tampa, FL, in partnership with Invited. Although she felt somewhat hesitant about her teaching credentials, she approached the clinic with enthusiasm. “I taught clinics throughout my tennis career in terms of playing with amateurs and teaching them, but I’d never done it for pickleball, and I don’t even feel good enough at pickleball to be able to say I can teach someone in it,” she confessed. Despite her reservations, Bouchard found the experience rewarding.
Sharing her journey and the typical pitfalls faced by tennis players transitioning to pickleball resonated with attendees. “Let’s say someone was going from tennis to pickleball, I’d share the troubles I had and how I tried to learn and get better from them, and share the typical mistakes that tennis players make when playing pickleball.”
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Goals and Ambitions
With a break in the schedule offering some time to recharge, Bouchard is eagerly looking forward to the remainder of the PPA Tour season. Her competitive spirit remains undiminished. “I want to get a bunch of wins, of course. I hate losing. I’m a competitor no matter what I do. My goal is ultimately to win a tournament, or at least medal in one,” she stated. Bouchard is keen to capitalize on every opportunity, even valuing the chance to compete for bronze on Championship Sunday, a format she finds unique and appealing.
“Even if you don’t make the finals, even if you lose in the semis, you play for bronze on Championship Sunday. We don’t have that in tennis. I think that’s kind of cool, and I would love to have the chance to win as much as I can.”
As Bouchard continues to adapt and evolve in her new sport, her story remains one of determination and growth. Fans of pickleball—and of Bouchard herself—can look forward to watching her progress and hopefully see her reach the heights that once defined her tennis career.
News in Brief: Genie Bouchard’s Pickleball Journey
When Genie Bouchard signed with the PPA Tour in September 2023, expectations soared. The former World No. 5 tennis player faced a tough transition to pickleball, experiencing early losses but eventually securing her first win at the Fanatics Sportsbook North Carolina Cup. Bouchard acknowledged the learning curve but gained confidence from her victory. She’s also ventured into teaching, hosting a clinic in Tampa despite initial doubts about her pickleball expertise. Looking ahead, Bouchard aims to win tournaments and enjoys the unique format of Championship Sunday, which includes competing for bronze. Her journey from tennis to pickleball reflects her determination and growth, promising exciting developments for fans.
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