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11/22/2024 04:09:52 am

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WTA News Update: Genie Bouchard Heads Into Wimbledon With High Hopes

Eugenie Bouchard

(Photo : Getty Images) June 15, 2015
Aegon Classic - Day One

It wasn't long ago when Eugenie Bouchard grabbed the headlines and became a media darling after her stellar performance in 3 of the 4 grand slams of the past year. Expectations were set and the world anticipated for the Canadian superstar to be the next big thing in tennis. But all smiles diminished when Bouchard seemed to have hit a slump.

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The year so far has not been good to the 21-year-old who lost 12 of her 19 matches including a recent first round fall to Kristina Mladenovic at the Aegon Birmingham Classic. Some speculate that parting ways with former coach Nick Saviano led to her downfall while others believe that she simply couldn't handle the glitz and glamour that surrounds her rise to the top. 

In recent months, she has become more of a celebrity, doing photo-shoots and gracing magazine covers as an IMG Model. She was recently named as SportPro's Most Marketable athlete, topping a list that doesn't even include Maria Sharapova. But as her marketing stature grew, her performance dwindled, leading fans to question her potential to rise above her critics who have compared her to Anna Kournikova whose game was clearly overshadowed by off-court activities. 

Yet, amidst the questions and backlash, Bouchard continues to have high hopes coming into Wimbledon as a former junior champion and women's singles finalist. 

"I have obviously looked back on those couple of weeks and have such nice feelings thinking about it," Bouchard tells the Guardian of her 2014 performance at the All England Club. "I have thought: 'What was I doing during that tournament that made me play so well?' I was in my bubble. I've thought about what I was focusing on and maybe going back to that experience to try to play better. I'm just trying to focus on what I'm doing now and hopefully the great memories I can create this year."

Bouchard's 2015 campaign is led by her new coach Sam Sumyk who gave former protégé Victoria Azarenka the winning form to capture two grand slams. Prior to Wimbledon, the Montreal native will be polishing her grass court game at the AEGON Eastbourne International where she will face Alison Riske in the 2nd round.

The 41st edition of the WTA Premier Event will see four past champions compete including Caroline Wozniacki who is favored the win the tournament.

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