The talented Eugenie Bouchard has already made waves in the pickleball world with her very own signature paddle. Holding the impressive position of No. 17 in the pickleball rankings, she consistently attracts crowds at events, proving that she remains a fan favorite.
It’s important to clarify that Bouchard is far from retired from tennis. The 2014 Wimbledon finalist continues to practice her tennis skills, competing in various tennis tournaments, maintaining a Women’s Tennis Association ranking of No. 1,288.
However, Bouchard has recently found a new passion in pickleball. She joins a growing list of tennis professionals, such as Jack Sock and Donald Young, who are transitioning into the exciting realm of professional pickleball as they explore new chapters in their athletic careers.
Her year-long journey into this new sport has not been without its challenges. Bouchard has faced her share of tough moments in the spotlight as she adapts to the nuances of this exhilarating game, which combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis.
“I’m on center court,” Bouchard shared before the highly anticipated “Pickleball Slam 3,” where she will join forces with Andy Roddick in a thrilling matchup against tennis legends Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf in Las Vegas, broadcasted on ESPN. “Not just due to my abilities in pickleball, but because of my accomplishments in tennis and what I hope to contribute to the sport of pickleball.”
“In the beginning, I wasn’t a fan. I was losing and felt clumsy on the pickleball court. I thought, ‘Just put me on the last court so no one witnesses this disaster!’ But gradually, I’ve started to find my groove.”
Bouchard, who will celebrate her 31st birthday on February 25, was first approached by the Professional Pickleball Association Tour in 2023 at the U.S. Open.
The opportunity presented to Bouchard was clear: assist in elevating the visibility of pickleball. Although she’d dabbled in the sport with friends, her involvement was limited at that time.
“After our call, I thought, ‘She can significantly impact pickleball. She has the potential to draw attention,’” said Connor Pardoe, the founder and CEO of the Carvana PPA Tour. “When we realized this was something Genie was passionate about and ready to fully commit to, it felt like a no-brainer.”
Bouchard subsequently signed a three-year deal—details undisclosed—that allows her to continue competing in tennis alongside her pickleball endeavors.
She has played a pivotal role in boosting the popularity of the PPA Tour, which formally merged with Major League Pickleball in February 2024. Last year alone, over 320,000 fans attended PPA Tour and MLP events.
While she hasn’t yet clinched her first win on the tour, Bouchard keeps her spirits high—along with her style.
For example, after her recent exit from a tournament in Tucson, Arizona, she sported a vibrant yellow New Balance top and a stylish green-patterned skirt, humorously posting on social media, “I may not have won the tournament, but at least my outfit was a winner!”
When it comes to her pickleball objectives, Bouchard is keeping things realistic. Currently, her record stands at 18-19 in singles, 8-18 in doubles, and 8-19 in mixed doubles (she teamed up with Sock for mixed doubles action last weekend).
“For me, success is walking away from a tournament with at least one victory,” Bouchard remarked, proudly using her pink Versix Vector pickleball paddle, crafted to leverage her tennis skill set. “In my early tournaments, I’d often find myself going 0-3 in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. There’s nothing quite as disheartening as flying back home without winning even one match. Thankfully, I’ve begun to turn that around.”
Tennis continues to be a vital part of Bouchard’s life. She burst into the professional scene as a teenager and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 5 in 2014, a year marked by her journey to the Wimbledon final, where she ultimately fell to Petra Kvitova.
Throughout her tennis career, Bouchard has accumulated an impressive $6.9 million in prize money, showcasing her highlights such as reaching the semifinals of the 2014 Australian Open and French Open and representing Canada at the 2016 Rio Olympics, alongside navigating through tougher moments like shoulder surgery and a settlement with the USTA over a liability lawsuit.
“I wouldn’t say I was burned out,” Bouchard expressed when reflecting on why she chose to incorporate pickleball into her career. “I was simply excited by this new opportunity.”
This Sunday presents yet another chance for Bouchard—a unique opportunity to partner with Roddick in a celebrated pickleball match against her tennis idols, Agassi and Graf.
“I’m honestly unsure how I received the invite,” Bouchard admitted. “It’s surreal to share the court with these three legends.”
