?It Was Insane?- Eugenie Bouchard Swells With Pride as Canada Continues to Witness a Skyrocketing Surge in Tennis? Popularity

The Land of Maple Leaf is no longer just a hockey-playing nation. Tennis is growing very rapidly in Canada and the rise of Canadian players at the biggest tennis stage has been one of its main reasons. The presence of better infrastructure and government initiatives towards the sport has helped it gain more popularity. Tennis is seen as a fitness sport among the Canadians and here’s what Eugenie Bouchard has to say on the rise of tennis in Canada.

Eugenie Bouchard is an immensely popular tennis player in Canada. She has played a pivotal role in transforming the sport in the country. Even the men are doing their best to put Canada on the map of the world of tennis. Canada had recently won their first Davis Cup in 2022 by defeating Australia 2-0 in the final. Surely, tennis in Canada is on the right track now but how did this transition happen?

Eugenie Bouchard on the rapid rise of tennis in Canada

Canadian tennis players have achieved some remarkable feats over the last few years. Previously it was Daniel Nestor‘s heroics at men’s and mixed doubles that caught the attention of the world. The 51-year-old Canadian former professional tennis player was one of the greatest doubles players of all time. Then came the likes of Milos Raonic, Eugenie Bouchard, Vasek Pospisil, and Rebecca Marino, who carried forward Tennis in Canada. They had served as the middleman for a transition of the sport in the country. Later came, the next-gen superstars of Canadian tennis- Denis Shapovalov, Bianca Andreescu, Felix Auger Aliassime, and Leylah Annie Fernandez. Here’s what Bouchard has to say about the gaining popularity of the sport in Canada with the rise of these stars.

“Tennis has grown a lot in Canada. We’ve seen it over the last 15, 10, 5 years. It’s been an honor to be a part of that wave and see to it continue with the other generation as well. I would say it’s the second-most popular sport now in Canada after hockey. Nothing will beat that. But at least we have the No. 2 spot. I hear so many stories of tennis clubs and summer camps being full. I was just training in Montreal, and I could not get a court to practice on over the weekend. It was insane. That makes me so happy, and I hope it keeps growing and kids keep picking up tennis or any sport for that matter. I think that’s the most important thing. It’s amazing.” said Eugenie Bouchard.

In 2019, Bianca Andreescu created a record by becoming the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam title at the US Open. Shapovalov made it to the finals and clinched the Stockholm Open just a month later. Then in 2021, Leylah Fernandes won her first WTA Tour title and also finished runners-up at the US Open in the same year. Now, the demand for the sport in Canada is outstripping the supply, and that’s a good thing for all tennis lovers like Bouchard. However, is Bouchard planning to return?

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Eugene Bouchard looks to make a comeback for the red and white in Billie Jean King Cup Finals

The 29-year-old Canadian tennis player had last played for Team Canada in 2018. Bouchard was one of the breakout stars in tennis in 2014. She had reached the semi-finals or better in three out of four Grand Slams that year. The former number 5 in women’s tennis is the first to reach the finals of a major singles tournament (Wimbledon).

Bouchard will now team up with her fellow Canadians to represent the nation in the 60-year-old prestigious tournament. Canada has been drawn into the same group as Poland and Spain. The tournament is set to commence on November 7. Can Eugenie Bouchard help Canada to make a mark at the tournament?

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