Former Grand Slam finalist Eugenie Bouchard found herself back in the tennis conversation at the 2026 United Cup with a show of unmistakable pride for Team Canada. As the season-opening event unfolded in Australia, Bouchard publicly celebrated her home country’s strong start.
Team Canada Begins Its United Cup Journey on a Positive Note
The United Cup has quickly carved out a unique place on the calendar, blending the ATP and WTA Tours into a single national competition staged across Perth and Sydney from Jan. 2 to 11. Played on outdoor hard courts, the event doubles as a high-stakes tune-up for the Australian Open and a rare opportunity for men and women to compete side by side.
With 18 nations entered and rosters capped at three men and three women, the format emphasizes depth, versatility, and team chemistry. The United States arrived as the defending champion after lifting the trophy in 2025, while Canada entered the week eager to make a statement in a demanding Group B that also included China and Belgium.
Canada delivered a clean sweep against China, setting the tone for its campaign. Rising star Victoria Mboko rebounded from a slow start to overpower Zhu Lin 2-6, 6-2, 6-0. That momentum carried into the men’s singles, where captain Félix Auger-Aliassime produced a 6-4, 6-4 win over Zhang Zhizhen.
The tie was emphatically sealed in mixed doubles, with Mboko and Auger-Aliassime teaming up to dismantle You Xiaodi and Te Rigele 6-1, 6-3 for a 3-0 result. The Canadian squad, rounded out by Alexis Galarneau, Kayla Cross, Cleeve Harper, and Ariana Arseneault, drew praise for its balance and energy.
How Did Eugenie Bouchard Show Her Support As Team Canada Took Charge?
The celebration unfolded on social media shortly after Canada’s opening tie, when TennisTV posted a compilation of Team Canada’s winning moments on Instagram. Watching from afar, Bouchard reacted, posting a maple leaf-laced “Yesss🍁” in the comments and later sharing the highlights herself with a simple heart and Canadian flag emojis.
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Next, Canada turns its attention to a decisive group-stage match against Belgium. The tie is set to open with Auger-Aliassime taking on Zizou Bergs in the first singles match, followed by Mboko stepping on court against Elise Mertens in the second singles encounter.
Bouchard officially stepped away from full-time professional tennis after the 2025 Canadian Open in Montreal, where she lost to Belinda Bencic in the second round, closing a chapter that stretched nearly two decades. Since then, Bouchard has redirected her competitive drive toward pickleball, joining the Professional Pickleball Association Tour in January 2024 and climbing to No. 9 in singles and No. 47 in doubles.