Bouchard: I could not get a court to play on
07/11/2023 05:07
Former world No. 5 Eugenie Bouchard is back in Canada's Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge team for the 2023 Finals and could make her first appearance in the competition since 2018
By Ross McLean
Tennis in Canada is on the rise, so much so that Eugenie Bouchard was struggling to get a practice court in the build up to the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals.
Former world No. 5 Bouchard is once again primed for national service having not played a Billie Jean King Cup tie for Canada in more than five years – since a World Group II showdown with Ukraine in April 2018.
However, as she is keen for everyone to know – including Canada captain Heidi El Tabakh who much to Bouchard's surprise had also forgotten – she did earn a call-up in 2020 only for injury to thwart her bid to play.
But all jokes aside, Canadian tennis is booming with Gabriela Dabrowski the latest to sparkle under the global spotlight by winning the women’s doubles title alongside New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe at the US Open in September.
Bianca Andreescu became the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam singles title in 2019, while Leylah Fernandez, who like Dabrowski is here in Seville, reached the US Open final in 2021.
“Tennis has grown a lot in Canada,” Bouchard told billiejeankingcup.com. “We’ve seen it over the last five, 10, 15 years. It’s been an honour to be a part of that wave and see it continue with other generations as well.
“I would say it’s the second-most popular sport now in Canada after hockey. Nothing will beat that, but at least we have the No. 2 spot.
“I hear so many stories of tennis clubs and summer camps being full. I was just training in Montreal and I could not get a practice court over the weekend – it was insane.
“It makes me so happy, and I hope it keeps growing and kids keep picking up a tennis racket or getting involved in any sport, for that matter. That’s the most important thing. It’s amazing.”
Canada’s stock as a tennis-playing nation rose significantly when their men – Felix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov, Vasek Pospisil, Alexis Galarneau and Gabriel Diallo – were crowned 2022 Davis Cup champions. Their women’s team have designs on following suit.
“That’s the ultimate goal,” El Tabakh told billiejeankingcup.com. “Everyone’s goal on this team is to win Billie Jean King Cup and we believe we can achieve it. We are hoping to follow in the footsteps of the Davis Cup team – they are a big inspiration for us.
“I trust my players, I know they are going to give 100 per cent on court. We are competing against some big nations, so it’s not going to be easy, but we have earned our spot and we believe we can do it.
“It would mean a lot to us. It would mean a lot for tennis in Canada and mean a lot for Canada as well.”
Canada have been drawn alongside hosts Spain and Poland in Group C and will begin their quest to reach the Billie Jean King Cup podium on Wednesday. Their opening group-stage encounter is against Spain.
“When I saw that we were put in the round-robin stage with Spain, I was very excited because you want to have great competition and that ensures good camaraderie for your team,” said Rebecca Marino who, like Bouchard, made her Billie Jean King Cup debut in 2011.
“We’re up for the challenge. That’s why we compete, for moments like this. I’m excited for our fans and we are most certainly up for it. There is a lot of excitement within this team.”
Someone most definitely ready for the fight is world No. 35 Leylah Fernandez, who has said on more than one occasion that representing Canada tends to bring out the best in her.
“I’m always excited to be part of this Canada team,” Fernandez told billiejeankingcup.com. “We have a great support staff and the girls here are super amazing. They always bring out the best in me and I have a lot of pride when I play for my country.
“My dad, who is a football player, always said the biggest pride of any athlete is to represent their country and to have the country’s name on their back. Every time I step on court, I always just want to fight, be the best version of myself and give Team Canada a chance to win.”
If Canada are to thrive here in Seville then Fernandez is likely to be key.
