“Netflix And Hulu”: Eugenie Bouchard Reveals How She’s Surviving the 2020 French Open Bubble

The 2020 French Open is underway, and we’ve seen some great games already. The French Open bubble which hosts all the athletes has strict restrictions in place. This limits the players’ capacity to blow some steam by taking a tour around the city. However, none of the protocols seem to be affecting Eugenie Bouchard who has received a wild-card entry to the tournament. 

Similar to the US Open bubble fiasco, the organizers at Roland Garros met with a few discrepancies, which raised questions about the safety of the players. However, the organizers are following strict protocols to ensure that the tournament proceeds smoothly.

All players have already experienced the bubble at Flushing Meadows. For athletes like Eugenie Bouchard, the bubble at RG is a new experience, but she’s well equipped to get used to it. 

“I brought some books and I have subscriptions to Netflix and Hulu, so that’s mostly what’s getting me through,” Bouchard said, talking about her routine. Moreover, the former World No. 5 stressed the importance of living with the current arrangements and expressed her gratitude.

“It’s just acceptance of the situation and understanding that if this is what we have to do to have a job right now, then of course I’m totally happy to do it.”

It is indeed challenging for the athletes to be wrapped up inside a bubble atmosphere and play professional tennis. Some make the most out of it, while others might not feel too comfortable. Bouchard is just grateful that she is able to play in a Major tournament amid a pandemic. 

Eugenie Bouchard races to victory in the first round of French Open 2020

Bouchard had a good mental preparation for Roland Garros. She had competed at the Istanbul Open where she reached the finals but lost to Patricia Maria Tig, who clinched her first WTA title. Even though Bouchard ended up losing, it was her first WTA final appearance in four years.

The Canadian hasn’t disappointed with her wild card entry at the 2020 French Open. She faced World No.108 Anna Kalinskaya in the first round and cruised to a comfortable 6-4, 6-4 victory. This marks her first Grand Slam victory since the 2019 Australian Open. She held tight in the match to outplay her Russian opponent and advance to the second round. 

Eugenie Bouchard will face Australian player Daria Gavrilova in the second round. The latter reached the R2 on the back of a stunning victory over the tournament’s #24 seed Dayana Yastremska.