Eugenie Bouchard put in a determined effort to ensure her match against 17th seed Belinda Bencic at the Canadian Open wouldn’t be her last, but it was. The Canadian had earlier announced that the WTA 1000 event in Montreal would mark her farewell.
On Wednesday night, Bouchard bid adieu to professional tennis with a hard-fought defeat. The emotional moment later drew a warm message from fellow player, Emma Raducanu.
Emma Raducanu Pens Heartfelt Message for Eugenie Bouchard After Canadian Open Retirement
Bouchard started her campaign on Monday against Emiliana Arango, showcasing flashes of her fearless, attacking game from her prime season in 2014. She defeated Arango 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 to advance further in the tournament.
With every match carrying the weight of a possible farewell, the tournament took on added significance for her fans. Bouchard didn’t have a great start in the second round, but her fight electrified the home crowd in Montreal. After losing the first set 2-6, she rallied in the second and took it 6-3, and then held a 3-1 lead in the decider.
But the Swiss mounted a strong comeback and sealed the deciding set 6-4. With that, Bouchard’s tennis career came to a poetic close, at the very place she first picked up a racket at the age of five. A heartfelt ovation from the home crowd only added to the significance of the moment.
The Canadian’s farewell later caught the attention of former US Open champion Emma Raducanu, who reposted Tennis Canada’s tribute on her Instagram story, adding:
“Thank you Genie, loved watching you compete and play. Wish you all the best for your next chapter.”
After winning the junior Wimbledon title in 2012, Bouchard quickly climbed the ranks, earning WTA Newcomer of the Year in 2013.
MORE: Eugenie Bouchard Discloses What Went Through Her Mind Before Winning the Opener at Farewell Run in Montreal
She reached the semifinals of the Australian Open and the French Open in 2014, finished runner-up at Wimbledon after falling to Petra Kvitová, and later rose to World No. 5 in the same year.
Bouchard Shares an Emotional Message for Her Family and the Crowd After Canadian Open Swan Song
It was undoubtedly an emotional moment for the Canadian, who struggled to hold back tears. During her post-match farewell speech, Bouchard expressed her gratitude for the sport and, overwhelmed with emotion, went on to thank her family and the crowd for their unwavering support.
“Tennis has given me so much. I am filled with so much gratitude for this sport and the people that helped me along the way. I want to thank my mom, dad, sisters, & brother for their sacrifice and support. I want you to know, when this crowd cheers for me, they’re cheering for you too. I wouldn’t be here without you,” she said.
Eugenie Bouchard talking through tears after playing her final match
“I want to thank my mom, dad, sisters, & brother for their sacrifices. I want you to know when this crowd cheers for me, they’re cheering for you too. I wouldn’t be here without you”🥹
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 31, 2025
She currently competes on the Professional Pickleball Association Tour, which she joined ahead of the 2024 season.
As part of her transition into the sport, she has taken part in high-profile exhibition matches, teaming up with former ATP star Andy Roddick to face the legendary pair Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf.