FORMER Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard has announced her retirement from tennis aged 31 – just weeks after making a shock return to the sport.
The Canadian ace was once tipped to become a global star after reaching the final of Wimbledon in 2014.
Bouchard was just 20 years old at the time when she came up against former champ Petra Kvitova.
There was heartbreak for Bouchard as she lost 6-3 6-0 to the Czech.
But despite reaching the semis of the Australian and French Opens in the same year, Bouchard never made another final.
Instead, her career took a downward turn.
Bouchard, who was ranked No5 in the world in 2014, slipped to No48 just a year later.
And as injuries took their toll, she gradually faded from the women’s game entirely.
Despite raking in a fortune with modelling work, Bouchard eventually turned to the trendy sport of pickleball.
But she left fans stunned when she revealed plans to play tennis’ Hall of Fame Open this month.
Bouchard was defeated early on in the Round of 32, losing 7-6 5-2 to Anna Rogers.
And now, the Canadian has declared she is finally hanging up her racket and balls for good.
Bouchard said alongside a throwback picture on social media: “You’ll know when it’s time.
“For me, it’s now. Ending where it all started. Montreal.”
Fans will still get to see Bouchard one last time when she takes part at the 2025 Canadian Open later this month.
Gavin Ziv, CEO of Tennis Canada, said: “Few athletes have left as profound a mark on Canadian tennis as Genie [Bouchard] has throughout her extraordinary career.
“As one of the very first players to ever be part of the National Tennis Centre presented by Rogers in Montreal, she achieved things that many thought would be impossible for Canadian players.
“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.
“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. We wish her continued success in the next chapter of her career.”
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