© Getty Images Sport – Clive Brunskill
Eugenie Bouchard reacted to the news of Simona Halep being handed a four-year ban from tennis in her doping case, but this time no one was directly called out. In 2017, Bouchard called Maria Sharapova “a cheater” and then also beat her in Madrid – that happened after the Russian tennis legend returned to tennis from her doping suspension.
Earlier this year, Bouchard said “there’s something about playing dopers in Madrid” after beating Dayana Yastremska there. In 2021, Yastremska was hit with an anti-doping violation but cleared of any wrongdoing just a few months later.
Bouchard faced backlash and scrutiny after taking a shot at Yastremska so she posted this after the Halep news: “I was told not to tweet today.”
I was told not to tweet today 🫢 — Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) September 12, 2023
Bouchard receives criticism for her reaction to the Halep news
Bouchard’s post wasn’t welcomed by some.
One fan responded to Bouchard by saying: “You … most irritating tennis player! Like a witch!” Bouchard responded: “Thx for following (heart emoji).”
Thx for following 💘 — Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) September 12, 2023
Another asked Bouchard: “When was the last time u won a tennis match babe?” Bouchard answered: “Last week.”
Last week — Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) September 12, 2023
One fan claimed: “Doping is rampant in tennis but no one wants to say anything.” Bouchard responded to that claim by posting three zipper-mouth face emojis.
🤐🤐🤐 — Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) September 12, 2023
In 2017, Bouchard’s comments on Sharapova drew lots of attention. “She’s a cheater and so to me. I don’t think a cheater in any sport should be allowed to play that sport again.
It’s so unfair to all the other players who do it the right way and are true. So, I think from the WTA it sends the wrong message to young kids—cheat and we’ll welcome you back with open arms. I don’t think that’s right and [she’s] definitely not someone I can say I look up to anymore because that’s definitely ruined it for me a little bit,” Bouchard said in 2017.
