Eugenie Bouchard’s presence on the court at the Canadian Open is a reminder of a career once brimming with promise and potential—one that captured the imagination of tennis fans around the world. Now 31, Bouchard is no longer the young prodigy who soared to prominence nearly a decade ago. Her journey has been a rollercoaster of dazzling highs and frustrating lows, and as she steps onto home soil, it’s a moment laden with both hope and reflection.

Bouchard first burst into the global spotlight in 2014. That year marked the pinnacle of her career, when she became the first Canadian woman to reach the semifinals of a Grand Slam event in the Open Era, achieving this feat at Wimbledon. Earlier that season, she also made an impressive run to the final of the Australian Open. Her aggressive all-court game, fearless shot-making, and charismatic presence made her an instant fan favorite. At the time, many believed she was destined for greatness, potentially a Grand Slam champion.

The Canadian Open itself, known officially as the National Bank Open presented by Rogers, has long been a premier stop on the tennis calendar, featuring top-tier talent competing on hard courts just ahead of the US Open. In 2014, Bouchard reached the semifinals at this event as well, showcasing her ability to compete with the best in the world beyond the Grand Slams. This performance was one of the highlights of her breakout season, hinting that her rise was no fluke.

However, the years following 2014 saw Bouchard grapple with a series of setbacks. A combination of injuries, fluctuations in form, and mounting pressure seemed to derail her ascent. By 2015, the grueling demands of the professional circuit and heightened expectations weighed heavily on her, and her results began to slide. Injuries to her knees and back hampered her mobility and confidence on court, issues that are common among professional athletes but particularly difficult for those whose game relies heavily on quickness and agility.

Moreover, the mental challenge cannot be understated. Tennis is as much a psychological battle as it is physical, and Bouchard’s struggle to regain her earlier sparkle was compounded by the intense spotlight and public scrutiny. The social media age amplified every misstep, often magnifying her challenges beyond the court.

Despite these obstacles, Bouchard has demonstrated resilience. In 2020, she enjoyed a modest resurgence at Roland-Garros (the French Open), reaching the third round—her best Grand Slam showing since 2014. Yet, consistency remained elusive. Subsequently, she failed to qualify for a string of Grand Slam main draws, including major events like Wimbledon, the Australian Open, and the US Open, signaling a difficult stretch in her career.

The Canadian Open continues to hold special significance for Bouchard as her home tournament. With no ranking high enough for direct entry this time around, she relies on a wild card to compete in the main draw, a testament to both her past contributions to Canadian tennis and her ongoing determination. Her career record at this event, while not overwhelmingly positive at 4-9, includes moments of brilliance that remind fans of what she’s capable of when firing on all cylinders.

Historically, Bouchard’s rise was part of a broader surge in Canadian tennis during the 2010s, which saw players like Milos Raonic and later Bianca Andreescu also make significant breakthroughs on the world stage. Andreescu’s own 2019 US Open victory shifted some spotlight away from Bouchard, but the trail blazed by Bouchard helped pave the way for future Canadian stars, underscoring her lasting impact on the sport in her country.

As Bouchard fights to rekindle her tennis career, her story resonates beyond wins and losses. It’s about perseverance, adapting to adversity, and the complex realities athletes face behind the scenes—the physical toll, the mental battles, and the constant demand for reinvention.

For fans watching her compete at the Canadian Open this year, it’s an emotional experience. There’s an undeniable charm in witnessing an athlete who refuses to concede quietly, choosing instead to fight for every point. Whether or not she clinches another victory, Bouchard’s journey serves as a compelling narrative about the highs and lows of professional sport: the fleeting nature of fame, the relentless pursuit of dreams, and ultimately, the courage to keep swinging till the very end.

Her appearance at this tournament may well be a final curtain call or a last chance to rediscover that spark that once electrified the tennis world. Regardless of the outcome, Eugenie Bouchard’s legacy remains firmly etched in Canadian tennis history—not just for her tennis achievements but for her tenacity and the inspiration she continues to offer aspiring athletes everywhere.