Opinion – James Spencer (Twitter – @jspencer28)
It’s safe to say that Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard is yesterday’s star.
Genie, as she is popularly known as, shot to stardom in 2014, eight years ago with some big Grand Slam performances.
At the French Open that year, the then 20-year-old sensation reached the semi-finals before losing to eventual champion Maria Sharapova.
If that wasn’t enough, she went one step better at Wimbledon in reaching the final.
This included sweeping wins against the likes of Daniela Hantuchová, Andrea Petkovic, Alizé Cornet, Angelique Kerber in the quarters and Simona Halep in the semis.
Bouchard was quickly propelled to world number five and the attention of the world’s press was immediately on her.
Glamour modelling soon took centre stage for the Canadian, and she quickly took her eye off the ball.
Both figuratively and physically speaking.
She now lies a whopping 1,242 in the world rankings today! Staggering.
Her socials of late have included lots of photos from the music and arts festival at Coachella Valley in the Colorado desert.
And she seems to be looking healthy and vibrant, and full of energy.
But why have we not seen this same energy and enthusiasm on the practice and match courts?
There were also posts of a weekend away at a golf resort.
Sandwiched in between was one tennis related post.
It appears tennis has taken a back seat in Genie’s life.
When at one stage, the world thought that she was the next big thing for American tennis and would follow in Serena Williams’ footsteps.
Of course, those expectations were far too great on any young player’s shoulders.
Comparing someone to a serial winner, a 23-time Grand Slam champion no less, who has dominated the sport for decades, was never going to end well.
However, at 28-years-old, she’s now reached the prime of an athlete’s career.
Of course, her current ranking may have some psychological effect on her motivation, but it is just a number.
Even if it means humbly playing at the lower rungs, Bouchard may have to do this to get back form, fitness and drive.
They say form is temporary, class is permanent.
Let’s hope Genie gets back on track sooner rather than later.
