Eugenie Bouchard, the glamorous Canadian tennis star who captivated fans worldwide, has officially announced her retirement from professional tennis at the age of 31.
Her decision marks the end of a career that saw her reach the pinnacle of the sport before battling a series of injuries and a dip in form. Bouchard is set to play her final professional matches on home soil, at the National Bank Open in Montreal later this month, a fitting farewell for an athlete who broke new ground for Canadian tennis.
Bouchard shot to international fame in 2014, a breakout year that saw her become the first Canadian-born player to reach the Wimbledon final. This remarkable achievement, where she ultimately fell to Petra Kvitova, solidified her status as a rising star in women’s tennis. That same year, she also reached the semifinals of both the Australian Open and the French Open, demonstrating her consistency across all major surfaces. Her incredible run of form propelled her to a career-high ranking of World No. 5 on the WTA Tour. She also secured her lone singles title during this period, showcasing her immense potential.
However, the trajectory of Bouchard’s career shifted dramatically after 2014. While she managed to reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in 2015, a pivotal incident later that year at the U.S. Open profoundly impacted her trajectory. Bouchard suffered a concussion after slipping on a wet locker room floor, forcing her to withdraw from her fourth-round match. This injury led to a highly publicized lawsuit against the U.S. Tennis Association, with a jury finding the organization 75 percent at fault. The lingering effects of the concussion and subsequent injuries contributed to a significant decline in her performance and rankings.
Despite these challenges, Bouchard remained a dedicated competitor. In 2023, she played a crucial role in helping Canada win its inaugural Billie Jean King Cup title, a testament to her enduring commitment to her national team. In recent years, she has diversified her athletic pursuits, notably venturing into pickleball, with only one professional tennis match played this season. Her impressive career singles record stands at 299 wins and 230 losses, highlighting her consistency over a prolonged period.
Valerie Tetreault, the National Bank Open tournament director, lauded Bouchard’s impact on Canadian tennis, stating, “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.” Tetreault added, “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.” The tournament, which begins on July 26, will provide an emotional send-off for the fan-favorite. Bouchard herself confirmed her retirement on social media, sharing a heartfelt message: “You’ll know when it’s time. For me, it’s now. Ending where it all started: Montreal,” accompanied by a collection of photos from her career.
Beyond her on-court endeavors, Bouchard also became a prominent figure in the world of endorsements and celebrity. Her striking looks and charismatic personality led to numerous sponsorship campaigns and appearances at high-profile events. She consistently ranked among Forbes’ World’s Highest-Paid Female Athletes in both 2017 and 2018. However, this off-court activity also brought its share of criticism. In a 2024 interview with The Times, Bouchard openly discussed the “hate” she received for her social media presence. She explained how, in the past, her off-court activities were often perceived negatively, regardless of her intense training regimen. “It’s great that the world has changed over the past ten years and now not only is it acceptable to do off-court things, it’s actually encouraged,” she reflected. Bouchard believes she played a role in normalizing athletes pursuing interests beyond their sport, stating, “Not that I was the only pioneer to do these things but I feel like I made it a little bit more normal.”
Eugenie Bouchard’s retirement marks the end of an era for a player who, despite facing numerous hurdles, left an indelible mark on Canadian tennis and beyond. Her journey exemplifies the intense pressures and evolving expectations placed on modern athletes.