11.08.2025 11:15
Farewell, Tennis: Bouchard Shines in Nostalgic National Bank Open Finale
Genie Bouchard didn’t appear to be a player on the verge of retirement.
(Getty Images via AFP)
Watching her, you might think she was still at her peak.
On the center court of her hometown, Bouchard delivered a captivating performance and a poignant farewell to tennis.
Despite a hard-fought loss in her final match on Wednesday night, she thrilled the audience.
“I’ve always felt I would finish my career here,” Bouchard shared. “Montreal is my birth and upbringing place, so it
just feels fitting. An emotional moment. I wanted a moment like this for my career, and I truly think I experienced
that tonight. I’m so grateful.”
The 31-year-old concluded her career in the second round of the National Bank Open, bowing out 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 to 17th
seed Belinda Bencic of Switzerland. Yet, she captivated the crowd with a performance reminiscent of the skill that
once propelled her to world No. 5 in 2014.
Is she certain about retiring? “My sister said she started a petition with fans in the crowd, and everyone signed it,
so now I have no choice but to rescind my retirement,” Bouchard joked, smiling. “There’s a lot of dedication needed
in tennis. While it was wonderful to perform well, it demands a life of sacrifice and hard work.”
She added, “I’ve given so much to tennis, and it’s given me so much, but I feel ready to explore other life
opportunities, though I’ll forever be grateful for what tennis has brought me.”
Bouchard had extended her run in Montreal with a memorable first-round victory on Monday night against Emiliana Arango,
marking her first WTA Tour win since 2023.
The local favorite once again turned back the clock Wednesday, rallying after losing the first set. Ultimately,
Bencic prevailed in a match that lasted two hours and 16 minutes.
The crowd at IGA Stadium cheered with chants of “Let’s Go Genie!” growing louder with their support, giving her multiple
standing ovations.
In response, Bouchard delivered an emotional speech on-court with tears in her eyes. “It’s incredibly special to play
my last match here in Montreal, on this court, in front of all of you,” she said. “I remember being a child, dreaming
from these stands that I’d someday play on this court.”
“This feels like a full-circle moment.”
Nearly prolonging her career, Bouchard rebounded after a challenging first set. She claimed the second set and secured
an early break in the third. Bencic, however, recovered, tying the match at 3-3, and ultimately emerged victorious.
“I knew I had a chance to win,” Bouchard said. “It was quite close from the second set onwards.”
This marks the conclusion of a roller-coaster career. Bouchard peaked in 2014, achieving her only WTA singles title,
reaching the semifinals of both the Australian and French Opens, and becoming the first Canadian to play in a Grand
Slam singles final at Wimbledon.
However, her rapid ascent at age 20 was followed by equally quick challenges after a 6-3, 6-0 loss to Petra Kvitova at
Wimbledon.
A highly anticipated homecoming shortly after ended with a defeat by American Shelby Rogers at what was then termed
the Rogers Cup. The subsequent year, Bouchard faced early exits from both the French Open and Wimbledon amidst
mounting losses.
A promising run to the U.S. Open fourth round signaled a potential resurgence, until a concussion from a slip in the
locker room—leading to a later lawsuit—forced her to withdraw.
In recent times, Bouchard sparingly engaged in professional tennis, focusing more on the PPA Pickleball Tour, where
she ranks 12th in singles.
Preparing for her final event, she participated in the WTA 125 Hall of Fame Open in July, her first tournament since
the previous year’s National Bank Open, but exited after an early defeat.
Looking to the future, Bouchard anticipates enjoying her time off, going on vacations, and reflecting on the next
chapter of her life.
“I feel like I missed out by not going to college,” she shared. “Exploring more TV opportunities is something I enjoy,
so that’s a likely step. Are any of you hiring? I don’t even know how to write a resume.”
The word she was searching for? Resume. “I don’t even have one of those,” she admitted. “Perhaps my agent can help me
with that. I’m not used to doing it.”
Related Link: Tennis Hub