"We no longer have someone dominating every slam" - Genie Bouchard speaks on motivation following Serena Williams' retirement

In an interview with the Romanian publication "30-0", Eugenie Bouchard admitted she's happy that her old opponents, Simona Halep, Garbine Muguruza, and Petra Kvitova, are still on the circuit because it's motivating her.

"I think today's circuit - at the top of the ranking - is quite open. We have many very good players, but no one seems to dominate with authority," said Bouchard. "Like, say, Serena dominated. This makes things all the more interesting because it gives many players hope that they too can be part of the elite.

Read also

2022 Transylvania Open Cluj-Napoca WTA Draw including Krejcikova, Bouchard, Kalinina

"I remember a few years ago it was harder to climb to the top of the leaderboard; now it seems to me that the door is open a little wider, and that makes things more interesting for both the fans and the players. We no longer have someone dominating every Slam, we feel like we have more opportunities at the big tournaments. That's also motivating for me, in this moment of the comeback - I feel that I have a chance."

In addition, Bouchard believes there is a generational clash as younger stars are beginning to challenge the more established veterans.

"It's important for me to see players like Halep, Muguruza, Kvitova - girls I've played with often - that they're still there; we have the younger ones than us, who are on the rise, so it's a natural progression, but I'm glad that we, the ones with more experience - not to say older (smiles) - are still holding up well," she added. "These are very exciting times on the circuit."

Read also

Bouchard on reasoning behind retirement - "To avoid a really big injury"

After missing close to a year due to injury, Bouchard made her comeback this summer in Chennai. The 2014 Wimbledon finalist was forced to withdraw due to injury from her first round match against Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina at the ongoing Transylvania Open.