Eppe Franklyne –
- Genie Bouchard, Canadian tennis star and former Wimbledon finalist, is retiring from professional tennis.
- She will compete one last time at the National Bank Open in Montreal, her hometown, with a wild card entry.
- Bouchard reached a career-high ranking of No. 5 in the WTA and made Grand Slam semifinals at the Australian and French Opens in 2014, alongside her Wimbledon final appearance.
- Her career was impacted by a concussion sustained at the 2015 U.S. Open, leading to a lawsuit against the U.S. Tennis Association.
- Bouchard played a key role in Canada’s 2023 Billie Jean King Cup victory and has recently focused on pickleball.
- National Bank Open officials and fans celebrate her impact on Canadian tennis and look forward to her final appearance.
Genie Bouchard, a trailblazer in Canadian tennis and a fan favorite, has announced her retirement from professional tennis. The 31-year-old will bid farewell to the sport at the upcoming National Bank Open in Montreal later this month, marking a full-circle moment as she finishes where her remarkable journey began.
Tennis Canada confirmed that Bouchard will receive a wild card entry into the tournament, allowing fans in her hometown to witness her final competitive matches. “You’ll know when it’s time. For me, it’s now,” Bouchard shared on social media, accompanied by photos of her in action.
Bouchard’s breakthrough year was 2014, when she soared to No. 5 in the WTA rankings and reached the Wimbledon final, falling to Petra Kvitova. That same year, she also made it to the semifinals at the Australian and French Opens. Despite capturing only one singles title during her career, her impact extended far beyond trophies, inspiring a new generation of Canadian players.
Her career trajectory shifted after a serious concussion sustained in a slip at the 2015 U.S. Open, which forced her withdrawal from the tournament. She subsequently filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Tennis Association; a jury determined the organization bore majority responsibility for the incident.
Bouchard continued to represent Canada with distinction, notably helping secure the nation’s first Billie Jean King Cup title in 2023. Recently, she has shifted much of her athletic focus to pickleball, participating in only one professional tennis match this season.
Valerie Tetreault, director of the National Bank Open, praised Bouchard’s contributions, saying, “She has been one of the most important figures in the history of our sport in Canada and a trailblazer who redefined what Canadian tennis could be. We are proud of everything she has done, as a player and role model, and we can’t wait to see her in action one last time at IGA Stadium this summer.”
As Bouchard closes this chapter of her sporting career, she leaves behind a legacy of resilience, excellence, and inspiration that has elevated Canadian tennis on the world stage.
