Eugenie Bouchard became only the second Canadian ever to reach the semifinal of a Grand Slam event at the 2014 Australian Open. Bouchard, from Westmount, Quebec, lost the semifinal to China's Li Na 6-2, 6-4, but may have won a few hearts as the latest Canada tennis success story.
Canada and tennis have been a bit understated. Bouchard was the first Canadian since then Carling Bassett reached the semifinals of the U.S. Open in 1984. On the men's side, the Davis Cup made its first-ever semifinal appearance last year, and led by Milos Raonic, now in the top 10, and Vasek Pospisil.
Thanks to her Australian Open performance, Bouchard is now ranked #19 in the WTA rankings. Bouchard is the youngest player in the Top 20 and only the 3rd female Canadian tennis player to make the Top 20 ranking.
Bouchard is attracting a bit more attention that either Raonic or Pospisil. Bouchard has a strong fan base, known as Genie's Army. And after her quarterfinal victory, when confronted with the odd question about which celebrity she would want to date, she answered "Justin Bieber?" shyness included.
The question was sexist at best, but the way this 19-year-old Canadian is dealing with fame is certainly better these days than the 19-year-old Canadian famous person in her answer.
The door for Bouchard opened a bit when Serena Williams lost in the 4th round at the Australian Open this year. Bouchard was Canadian cool in the intense heat of the Australian Open this year; she earned her way into her semifinal match. Bouchard can also take consolation that she lost to Li Na, who eventually won the 2014 Australian Open.
A reminder, though, that talent and a bit of luck will be the recipe for Bouchard, or any other Canadian, to win a Grand Slam title. Tennis is just that competitive.
Bouchard has some idea of what that takes with a strong track record as a junior player, becoming the first Canadian ever to win a Grand Slam in singles on any level. She won the singles title in 2012 and doubles in 2011 and 2012 at the junior Wimbledon.
While success can't truly be defined just by winning a Grand Slam tournament, Canadian tennis needs someone to reach that mark to be taken more seriously. Right now, Bouchard has as good a shot of being the first to reach that goal. Thanks to her play at the 2014 Australian Open, Eugenie Bouchard won't be sneaking up on anyone.
Photo credit: Rick Rycroft/The Associated Press
Best female player from Canada!
Posted by: RLF | January 29, 2014 at 10:58 AM
And only 19.
Posted by: Chad | January 29, 2014 at 01:49 PM