LONDON | There was something absurd about the scene. A 10 minute drive from the prestigious All England Club, Eugenie Bouchard was chasing every ball in hopes of regaining the right to set foot on her favorite pitch, the pitch on which she reached the pinnacle of her career nine years ago: playing at Wimbledon Final.
But unlike those two weeks in July 2014, this time there was no miracle in this game of the first round of “qualification”: The Quebecer had to beat Belgian Greet Minnen, 121st in the world, 6:4 and 7:5 give up , in the center of Roehampton, where qualifying for the most legendary of tennis tournaments is a matter of dispute, particularly a question so as not to damage the sacred turf of Wimbledon.
At almost 30 years old, it was a clear eugenie, which then appeared before the journalists. There were four of them, including Le Journal, proof that the aura of the world’s former fifth has not lost its luster despite their setbacks.
Photo Jessica Lapinski
“It is natural”
And there were nearly 200 fans too, seated in the only grandstand compound in Roehampton to support the one who also won the junior title in 2012.
“Everyone has ups and downs in a career. I mean Andy Murray plays Challengers tournaments and wins a few, good for him! “In a way it’s natural,” agreed Bouchard, who wore his t-shirt with his nickname “Genius,” a derivative dreamed up by outfitter New Balance.
“But of course I miss those great moments…” she continued.
Appreciate the good results
The story has been told a thousand times. Since her incredible 2014 season, which saw her reach the semifinals in Melbourne and Paris, the final in London and the round of 16 in New York, Bouchard’s career has been up and down.
Eugenie Bouchard with her 2014 Wimbledon finalist trophy. Photo AFP
With more lows than highs. And highlights often marred by unfavorable injuries, like that delicate shoulder surgery that kept her off the field for 17 months in 2021 and 2022.
She admits that this operation gave her a new perspective on her career.
“When you get good results, you have to appreciate them, because that doesn’t mean that something like this will happen again,” philosophized the Quebecer.
Although her goal remains to return to the top of her game, she admits.
“After my surgery I told myself I wanted to retire on my own terms and not because of my injury. Now that I’m better, I’ve made it my mission to do everything I can to become a professional tennis player because that’s what I love.
Within 0.0001%
Furthermore, Bouchard doesn’t seem at all embarrassed to be currently “only” ranked 218th in the world, despite still making it into the top five nine years ago.
Not losing in the first round of Wimbledon qualifiers either, in the shadow of the All England Club where she has already played in a final.
“Even if you’re in Wimbledon qualifiers, we’re in the 0.0001% of the world’s people! It’s important to put that in perspective as well.