Bouchard suffers new slump
new york — Once the poster girl for the future of women’s tennis, Eugenie Bouchard suffered another painful US Open exit, even if this time it was on court rather than the shower room.
The 23-year-old Canadian slumped to a 7-6 (7/2), 6-1 loss to Russia’s Evgeniya Rodina in the first round, 12 months after also falling at the first hurdle.
“It’s one of those matches you kind of want to forget about,” said Bouchard.
“I know obviously the unforced error count was a bit too high, especially at the end of that first set. Yeah, I just didn’t really know what to do out there.” One thing she is definitely doing is pursuing legal action against the tournament hosts, the United States Tennis Association, after she suffered a concussion slipping and falling in the locker room during the 2015 tournament.
She was forced to withdraw before her fourth-round tie and won just one more match that season.
Against that bitter background, even Bouchard admitted she was surprised to be given the honor of playing first match on the showcase Arthur Ashe stadium on Wednesday.
In many eyes, it was a strange decision for a tie featuring players ranked at 76 and 89. “I’m able to concentrate on the tennis when I’m here, but, I mean, I definitely have bad memories from here two years ago,” said Bouchard, confirming that her legal case is still in progress.
It’s all a long way from the golden season of 2014 when her girl-next-door looks, easy-going personality and media friendly appearances were lapped up after she made the Wimbledon final and semifinals at the Australian Open and Roland Garros. —