2014 Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard revealed that “retirement crossed her mind” during a 17-month injury absence. In 2021 March, Bouchard suffered a first-round exit in Monterrey. At the time, Bouchard was dealing with a shoulder injury.
In 2021 June, Bouchard announced that she had surgery on her injured shoulder. After being sidelined for 17 months, Bouchard made her long-awaited return to tennis in Vancouver last August. “I would be lying if I said it didn’t cross my mind because it was such a long progression to get back.
It kind of takes a year, a year and a half to get back and then i only play two years after, is it worth it, you know? But I decided it was worth it. I felt I would regret if I let an injury stop me,” Bouchard said.
We had a great pre-tournament press conference with @geniebouchard here at the #ITFWorldTennisTour W100 #OeirasLadiesOpen.
“I would be lying if I said it didn’t cross my mind” — she told us after @stevefgracio asked her about retirement thoughts in the past.
pic.twitter.com/mzn4O8mj09 — Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) April 16, 2023
Bouchard set to play in Portugal for the first time since 2014
Bouchard is still seeking to rediscover her old form as this week she is competing at an ITF event in Oeiras.
Last week, the Oeiras organizers announced Bouchard as a main draw wildcard recipient. With that being said, Bouchard is set to play in Portugal for the first time since 2014. In 2014, Bouchard made the WTA Oeiras quarterfinal before losing to Svetlana Kuznetsova.
“Hey everyone. I’m so excited to finally come back to Portugal and play in the Oeiras Ladies Open. It has been so long since I have been back. I can’t wait to see you all there,” Bouchard said in a statement. The Oeiras event is set to feature two very well-known names.
Elina Svitolina, a former world No 3, is also set to compete on the clay courts of Oeiras. After giving birth and being sidelined for 13 months, Svitolina returned to action earlier this month in Charleston. As Svitolina is seeking to find some rhythm and game, she accepted to play in a couple of ITF events.
“Hi, it’s Elina here. I’m looking forward to coming back to Portugal. I want to thank the tournament for giving me this opportunity to compete at the Oeiras Ladies Open. I can’t wait to see all the Portuguese fans. I’ll see you there,” Svitolina said in a statement. Bouchard and Svitolina’s matches in Oeiras will certainly draw lots of attention from the locals.
