These days when you talk about tennis in Canada most will automatically
focus on Milos Raonic for obvious reasons. Milos is knocking on the door of the
top 10 in what is arguably the greatest top 10 class of all time. That being
said, should you peel back the layers of the onion in Canadian tennis you will
find a special and welcome surprise.
Eugenie Bouchard was born in the tiny city of Westmount
Quebec. While it is a bilingual city it is a predominantly English speaking
town. The well-to-do area may have a significant hand in the well mannered and
well spoken nature of Genie. Of course that could also simply be attributed to the fact she is
Canadian.
While all of a sudden Canada seems poised to become an
international player in the world of tennis both in the ATP and WTA, there is something about this young Canadian
that stands out. There is something about her that undeniably unique that draws
you in. There is a special something that could perhaps have the greatest
impact on tennis in this country.
Genie began playing tennis at the age of 5 and like most
successful players the talent was immediately evident. When she was 15 she began training
at the National Centre in Montreal. It was there Tennis Canada began to hone in
her talent and attitude for the game. Tennis Canada continues to progress with their program. With current
names such as Aleksandra Wozniak, Stephanie Dubois, Rebecca Marino and future
talents such as Sharon Fichman, and Gabriela Dabrowski, the Canadian’s are a
legitimate mainstay in both pro tours. Then there’s Genie…
By the end of the month Bouchard will have turned 19 years
old. To hear her in interviews, see her in action you would be easily fooled
into thinking you were taking in the presence of a 5 year veteran. Genie
brilliantly represents herself in front of the camera and in all forms of
media. She seems rather relaxed and gets the fact that she is in the spotlight
for all to see. While at the moment that spotlight is a bit dim, it does
promise to increase in luminosity very soon.
Currently Bouchard is working part
time with former Wimbledon finalist Nathalie Tauziat. For Genie it is apparent
that success is her main objective. Up to six hours a day
this youngster trains and while her promise seems limitless judging by her work
ethic, she understands the program and is leaving nothing to chance.
In 2012 Genie made history for the country of Canada by
becoming the first player, male or female to win a grand slam title, pro or
junior, when she claimed the junior girls Wimbledon title. It was a moment that
perhaps most Canadian’s missed, or still haven’t heard about but give it time.
It’s players like Genie and results like Wimbledon that breed tennis
consciousness in nations long deprived of success. It’s results such as hers
that will become the turning point should she crack the top 10 one day or even
better, win a pro level slam. Genie is also decorated in doubles as well. She
is a two time grand slam doubles champion winning the 2011 and 2012 Wimbledon
titles with two different partners. Talk about picking the right stage to conduct
your masterpiece.
Perhaps her most high profile and defining moment came at
her home country’s tournament, The Rogers Cup were Genie played an epic match
against former top 20 player Shahar Pe'er. After pulling off the upset she
hooked up with Na Li and despite losing, she proved she could play with the
elite. In an earlier blog of mine where I praised the future of Canada in
tennis, ESPN analyst and former player and coach, Darren Cahill tweeted me in
response to my blog saying “keep a close eye on Genie. She’s going to be very
good” By the way did I mention Cahill has coached Agassi, Hewitt and Verdasco
to name a few? I think his opinion is sound.
I mentioned earlier that there was something uniquely
special about Genie. Along with her ability and poise on
the court, not to be ignored is the fact that Genie is stunning. Genie looks like a perfect casting job for the ultimate Hollywood blockbuster tennis film. We have all seen the
benefits other tennis players have been able to reap from this intangible. I
personally believe that if Genie can break through in tennis as a legitimate
WTA player, that she has the potential to grab the undivided attention of a
country and thrust into fandom many fringe tennis fans and even non tennis fans,
Similar to what Danica Patrick did in auto racing over a decade ago.
Genie is the total package; personality, looks, intellect,
likability, and God given talent she is kind of like a female Tom Brady or even
more poignant, Roger Federer. She is the type of person where you sit back and
marvel to yourself saying “really? All that went in to one person?” She is a
marketing gold. Tall, blonde, talented, well spoken and
successful. It’s not too often an athlete comes along that truly possess
everything people look for in an sports star. It isn’t clear at
this point if the teenager is willing to embrace all the external attention. For
now tennis is first and first and foremost because without results on the
court, options for the young Canadian will dwindle. However should Genie
succeed on the court I truly believe she could blow the roof off this country
and quite simply become one of the most popular female athletes in Canada’s
history.
So now that I have claimed Genie Bouchard could in fact take
over and rule Canada, and that she seems like the perfect all-round athlete,
what about her slam chances? Well many players have won junior slams and went
on to have nothing but a cup of coffee in the pros but I do think that the potential is
there for Genie. In fact I believe that she has slam champion potential written
all over her. The question now is can she maintain her magnificent progress?
Can she stay injury free? But perhaps just as important, how can she handle the
pressures that will no doubt follow her as she ascends in the rankings?
Her
tennis inspirations are Serena Williams and Roger Federer, should she play and
pattern herself after them, I think she’ll be just fine. Whether Bouchard wins
a slam or makes number 1 in the world or top 10, she is a special player and
one that I know Canada will be able to stand behind and cheer for. The good
times for Canada in the sport of Tennis are just beginning and once Genie
asserts herself as a bona fide WTA star, the sky’s the limit. One thing is for
certain she will have Canada in the palm of her hands with every well struck
ball on the rise.
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