Eugenie Bouchard Retires After Unfulfilled Grand Slam Potential Foreseen by John McEnroe
Montreal, Canada - Former world No. 5 Eugenie Bouchard concluded her professional tennis career at the Canadian Open in July, retiring at the age of 31 without ever claiming a Grand Slam title – a fate many found surprising given early predictions of multiple major victories, most notably from tennis legend John McEnroe. Bouchard’s final match was a hard-fought contest against Belinda Bencic, marking the end of a career often defined by both brilliance and frustrating setbacks.
Bouchard burst onto the scene in 2014, reaching the Wimbledon final and the semifinals of both the Australian Open and the French Open.This rapid ascent led McEnroe to confidently predict she would become a dominant force in the sport, forecasting multiple Grand Slam championships. However, a series of injuries and struggles with form prevented Bouchard from reaching the heights many anticipated, ultimately leading to her decision to retire. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the physical and mental demands of professional tennis and the delicate balance required to sustain success at the highest level.
The Canadian player’s career was significantly hampered by a shoulder injury that ultimately required surgery. Bouchard publicly acknowledged regrets about her career, reflecting on missed opportunities and the challenges she faced in consistently performing at her peak. These struggles, combined with the intense pressure of expectations, contributed to a decline in her ranking and ultimately influenced her decision to step away from the sport.
Despite never achieving a Grand Slam title, Bouchard leaves behind a legacy as a trailblazer for Canadian tennis and a player who captivated fans with her aggressive style and charismatic personality. Her retirement marks the end of an era and prompts reflection on the “what ifs” of a career that promised so much but ultimately fell short of its predicted potential.