Highlights:
- Ex-Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard is joining the 2024 Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour, a move she announced on Instagram alongside the PPA Tour.
- This decision comes after several tennis players like Jack Sock switched to pickleball, sparking interest in this new sport.
- Once at World No. 5, Bouchard’s tennis career, has faced injuries, and it’s unclear how this move will impact her tennis journey.
In a joint announcement with the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour, former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard has disclosed her decision to her 2.4 million Instagram followers.
Also Read: 10 Best Pickleball Sets Of 2023 – The Ultimate Guide
Bouchard, a former World No. 5 in tennis, has opted to join the 2024 PPA Tour, following in the footsteps of fellow tennis player Jack Sock. Sock, a two-time Wimbledon doubles champion, recently made headlines by announcing his departure from tennis to pursue a career in pickleball.
With one of the biggest signings of the year ✍️ @geniebouchard, professional tennis star with a WTA #5 career high in singles, joins the PPA Tour in 2024! ? pic.twitter.com/7lSNCDkQfT
— Carvana PPA Tour (@PPAtour) September 7, 2023
The 29-year-old Bouchard has yet to comment on how her shift to pickleball will affect her tennis career. Her tennis journey, marked by early fame in 2014 when she reached the semi-finals of the Australian and French Opens and ultimately competed in the Wimbledon final, has been hampered by injuries in recent years.
The Canadian astounded spectators at the Grand Slam events that year, making it to the semifinals of the Australian and French Opens before falling to Petra Kvitova in the Wimbledon final.
Bouchard struggled with a debilitating shoulder injury for 17 months, spanning from 2021 to 2022. Currently ranked 215th in the world, her last appearance in the main draw of a major tennis tournament was at Roland Garros in 2020.
Fans are eager to see if Bouchard will follow Sock’s path and embrace pickleball as a full-time endeavor, especially considering the sport’s growing popularity in North America.
Notably, another prominent North American tennis player, John Isner, reacted to the news on social media with the words, “Wimby finalist. Not bad @ppatour LFG!” This reflects the intrigue and anticipation surrounding Bouchard’s decision within the sports community.