Tennis Canada glad to have Bouchard back for Fed Cup
MONTREAL — Canada is delighted to have Eugenie Bouchard back with its Federation Cup squad even if the 2014 Wimbledon finalist has hit a rough patch in her career.
Bouchard, whose WTA ranking has tumbled to No. 117, is to play this week when Canada faces Ukraine in a World Group II playoff — a mustwin series to avoid being relegated to the American Zone next year.
Ukraine’s top player, fourthranked Elina Svitolina, is not expected to play in the best-offive indoor series Saturday and Sunday.
“It’s big because we need all our top players,” Tennis Canada senior vice-president Eugene Lapierre said Monday. “On paper, even if Svitolina would not be playing, I don’t think we’re favoured to beat Ukraine, so it’s important that (Bouchard) is there and I think it’s important for her, too, to start somewhere.
The 24-year-old Bouchard was riding high in 2014 when she reached at least the semifinals of three grand slam tournaments, rising to a careerhigh fifth in world rankings. She also helped Canada reach the top level of the Fed Cup, World Group I, by winning both singles matches against the Czech Republic.
But the Westmount, Que., native hasn’t played in Fed Cup since 2015 against Romania as she struggled with her game. In January, Bouchard dropped out of the top-100 for the first time since April, 2013.
She has also reportedly had offcourt woes, losing sponsors and splitting with her agent.
“She’s always had a very good attitude with the national team,” said Lapierre. “She’s the leader of that team.”
Bouchard remains Canada’s topranked woman. Her teammates this week include Francoise Abanda of Montreal (127th), Bianca Andreescu of Thornhill, Ont. (197th) and Gabriela Dabrowski of Ottawa, who is ranked 10th in doubles.
Eugenie Bouchard has joined the Canadian tennis team for its upcoming Fed Cup match with Ukraine. Bouchard hasn’t played in the Fed Cup since 2015.