Eugenie Bouchard, of Canada, returns a shot during her first-round match against Emiliana Arango, of Colombia, at the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Montreal, Monday, July 28, 2025. SportsNet
Eugenie Bouchard stepped onto the court one last time—and delivered a performance to remember.
On a warm summer night in Montreal, the 31-year-old Canadian tennis icon closed the final chapter of her career at the National Bank Open. Facing 17th seed Belinda Bencic in the second round, Bouchard fought fiercely before falling 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.
Though she didn’t win, she earned a victory in the hearts of fans.
A Perfect Place to Say Goodbye
Born and raised in Montreal, Bouchard had long imagined ending her career at home.
"I've always had a feeling I would end my career here,” she said in an emotional post-match speech. “My career deserved a moment like this.”
And she got that moment—on centre court, surrounded by cheers, applause, and love from her hometown crowd.
One Last Spark on Court
Bouchard may be retiring, but she didn’t look like a player at the end of her journey.
She lit up IGA Stadium with powerful strokes, sharp footwork, and passionate play. After dropping the first set, she stormed back to win the second. The third was a nail-biter—Bouchard even led 2-1 early in the decider.
The match could’ve gone either way. But Bencic held her nerve to close it out after two hours and sixteen minutes.
The Crowd's Loud Goodbye
The energy in the stadium was electric. Montreal fans packed the stands, chanting “Let’s go, Genie!” as the match progressed. Each point Bouchard won felt like a celebration. Every setback brought louder support.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she addressed the crowd in a special on-court farewell ceremony.
“I remember being a kid in these stands, dreaming of playing here,” she said. “It feels like a full-circle moment.”
Jim Parsons is seen cheering on Bouchard at Wimbledon in 2014. "We were told that we were part of this journey now," he wrote.
Nearly a Comeback
There was a time in the match when it looked like Bouchard might pull off a huge upset.
She saved four break points in the third game of the final set, eventually breaking Bencic. The Canadian had momentum on her side. But a few unforced errors helped Bencic even the score. When Bouchard served to stay in the match at 4-5, she fell behind quickly. A wide backhand on match point sealed the result.
“I knew I could win the match,” she said. “It was really close from the second set onward.”
A Career of Highs and Heartbreaks
Bouchard’s career has been a mix of soaring highs and challenging lows.
She broke through in 2014, reaching two Grand Slam semifinals and becoming the first Canadian to play a Grand Slam singles final at Wimbledon. That same year, she rose to World No. 5 and captured her only WTA singles title.
But after her Wimbledon loss to Petra Kvitova, things shifted. She faced early exits, a concussion at the U.S. Open, and inconsistent form. Injuries and setbacks limited her time on the court, and she gradually shifted her focus to media work and even the PPA Pickleball Tour.
What Comes Next?
With tennis behind her, Bouchard is ready to explore new adventures.
“Sleeping in and going on vacation” top her immediate list. But long-term, she’s eyeing a career in television.
“I never went to school, never had a resume,” she joked. “Maybe my agent can make one for me.”
She’s also open to new roles in the sport and beyond—and hinted that the door to tennis may never fully close.
After all, her sister started a mock petition to un-retire her. “Everyone signed it,” Bouchard said with a smile.
Grateful for the Journey
Despite the ups and downs, Bouchard has no regrets.
“I’ve given so much to tennis, and it’s given me so much back,” she said. “I’m forever grateful.”
Her farewell in Montreal was more than a retirement—it was a tribute to a trailblazing career, a powerful legacy, and a hometown hero’s full-circle moment.Eugenie Bouchard farewell
