Former World No.5 Eugenie Bouchard took to social media to post pictures of herself training on a tennis court, suggesting a return could be in the near future.
After dealing with several injuries, Bouchard put tennis on hold as she shifted her interests to pickleball. The Canadian developed a love for the fast-growing padel sport, turning professional with the PPA tour in 2024 while still a member of the WTA Tour.
The former Wimbledon runner-up posted pictures where she was seen training on a tennis court at Columbia University, alongside compatriot Caroline Zhao. Bouchard has made sporadic appearances on the WTA circuit, with her last prominent appearance being at the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup, where she helped Canada capture it's first title at the event.
Bouchard has been a staple on the pickleball scene over the last year, and is set to compete at the upcoming Pickleball Slam 3 event. The 30-year old will team with 2003 US Open champion Andy Roddick to take on the formidable husband and wide team of Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, both of whom are multiple time Grand Slam champions.
The "Duel in the Desert" tournament is set to take place on February 16, 2025 at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The winners will take home $1 million, and the event will be broadcast on ESPN.