Eugenie Bouchard Gives Touching Reason Behind Finishing her Career in Montreal

A trailblazer for Canadian tennis, Eugenie Bouchard played her last professional match in her birthplace Montreal after losing to Belinda Bencic in the second round of the National Bank Open.

Eugenie Bouchard Gives Touching Reason Behind Finishing her Career in Montreal

Eugenie Bouchard (image via Jimmie48 Photography)

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Canadian star Eugenie Bouchard fell in three sets in the second round of the National Bank Open to Belinda Bencic in what marked the last match of her remarkable tennis career. The 31-year-old had announced earlier this month that the Canadian Open would be her final tournament.

Despite playing only three singles events over the past 12 months, Bouchard battled hard against the World No. 20 and at one point was 3-1 up in the deciding set before the Swiss sealed the victory with a scoreline of 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.

Bouchard was a trailblazer for Canadian tennis. At Wimbledon 2014, Bouchard became the first Canadian to reach a Grand Slam singles final—paving the way for Milos Raonic, Bianca Andreescu, and Leylah Fernandez.

She also reached the semifinal of the Australian Open and Roland Garros that year and became the first Canadian tennis player to crack into the top 5 ranking in singles. She also led Canada to their maiden final and title at the Billie Jean King Cup in 2023.

Bouchard, who had a fitting end to her beautiful career in her birthplace, Montreal, became extremely emotional as she delivered her farewell speech on Center Court:

I think it’s so special to play my last match on this court in front of you guys. I remember being a little kid, sitting in these stands, hoping and dreaming of playing on this court one day. I grew up playing on these courts and courts all around Montreal and near here so it feels like such a full circle moment to finish my career here. Tennis has given me so much. I’m filled with so much gratitude for this sport and for the people who helped me along the way.

The post-match ceremony featured a congratulations video from the likes of fellow Quebecer Felix Auger-Aliassime and two-time defending Canadian champion Jessica Pegula. Fans at IGA Stadium held placards that spelled out ‘Merci Genie,’ and Bouchard also received a commemorative trophy along with a portrait of her career achievements.

Tennis players pay tribute to Eugenie Bouchard

Several tennis players paid tribute to Eugenie Bouchard as her career came to an end. Emma Raducanu, who was born on Canada and holds both Canadian and British citizenship, shared a message for Bouchard on her Instagram story- “Thank you Genie, loved watching you compete and play: Wish you all the best for your next chapter”.

Eugenie Bouchard Canadian Open 2025 Montreal
Eugenie Bouchard (image via Reuters)

Nick Kyrgios also took to X to congratulate Bouchard. The Australian congratulated on her “great career” asking her to “enjoy whatever is next.”

In recent years, Bouchard has worked as a presenter and pundit for the Tennis Channel, and last year, she made her professional debut as a pickleball player on the PPA Tour. Bouchard is also signed up to compete in the Luxembourg Ladies Tennis Masters, an invitational event starring WTA alumnae, this coming October.

Meanwhile, her second-round opponent, Belinda Bencic, will meet Karolina Muchova in the next round in Montreal. Bencic, who had a remarkable summer reaching the semifinal of Wimbledon for the first time, has a 3-0 head-to-head record over the Czech.

Also Read: Former World No.1 Predicts If Emma Raducanu Can Win Another Grand Slam Title: “She’s Kind of Fallen Back”