Eugenie Bouchard to Retire After National Bank Open in Montreal

At this year's National Bank Open in Montreal, Canadian tennis star Eugenie Bouchard, who had a breakout 2014 season and rose to No. 5 in the WTA rankings, is retiring from the game.

Bouchard will receive a main-draw wild card into the WTA 1000 hardcourt competition, which starts on July 26. Tennis Canada stated in a news release on Wednesday that she will be retiring from her hometown tournament.

Bouchard, who was born in Montreal, advanced to the 2014 Wimbledon women's final before falling to Petra Kvitova in straight sets. She was the first Canadian woman to compete in a Grand Slam singles final during the open era.

Along the way to winning the tour's Most Improved Player award in 2014, she also advanced to the semifinals of the French Open and Australian Open and earned a spot in the WTA Finals. In addition, Bouchard won her sole WTA championship at the clay-court Nuremberg Cup in 2014.

Valerie Tetreault, director of the National Bank Open competition, said, "She has been one of the most important figures in our sport's history 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."

Although she was unable to return to those levels on the WTA Tour due to injuries, including a concussion sustained at the 2015 U.S. Open, and erratic play, she continued to play a significant role for Canada's women's team.

The 31-year-old won 13 games in 10 Billie Jean King Cup matches while competing for Canada at the 2016 Olympic Games. In 2023, she and Gabriela Dabrowski won two doubles matches in the group round, helping Canada win its first-ever BJK Cup.

"When the time comes, you'll know it. It's now for me. "Coming to an end where it all began: Montreal," Bouchard said on the social media site X.

Gavin Ziv, the CEO of Tennis Canada, commended Bouchard for her contributions to the sport in Canada.

In a press release, Ziv stated that Genie's early accomplishments were "things that many thought would be impossible for Canadian players," and that "few athletes have left as profound a mark on Canadian tennis as Genie has throughout her extraordinary career."

"Her career highlights, which include a Wimbledon final appearance and a Billie Jean King Cup championship, are nothing short of extraordinary and were a true catalyst for the development of tennis in our country," he said. "She's been and still is an incredible ambassador for our sport and, on behalf of Tennis Canada, I want to thank her for everything she's done."

"Her career highlights, which include a Wimbledon final appearance and a Billie Jean King Cup championship, are nothing short of extraordinary and were a true catalyst for the development of tennis in our country," the politician said. "She's been and still is an incredible ambassador for our sport and, on behalf of Tennis Canada, I want to thank her for everything she's done."

Top Seed Sabalenka, No. 10 Badosa Withdraw from NBO

Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one, and Paula Badosa, the tenth-ranked player, have withdrawn from the upcoming National Bank Open.

Sabalenka, 27, who went to the Wimbledon semifinals before losing to Amanda Anisimova, claimed weariness as the reason she did not compete in the WTA 100 event.

Sabalenka stated in a press statement that she will miss her Canadian fans, but that leaving Montreal gives her the best opportunity for success in the next hard-court season.

Badosa said after her first-round loss to Katie Boulter at Wimbledon that she had developed a back ailment that would keep her out of action for a few weeks.

In a corresponding move, Caty McNally of the United States and Moyuka Uchijima of Japan were awarded main-draw berths in the tournament.

The National Bank Open begins July 26 at IGA Stadium.