Kaylah Walton
Tennis star Eugenie Bouchard, known for reaching the Wimbledon final in 2014, has addressed the criticism she faces as an influencer and model outside the tennis court.
Dealing with the transition from a regular athlete to a global icon comes with added stress, as shared by the Canadian player in an interview with The Times. She expressed the challenges of adjusting to these new expectations.
Bouchard admitted to sometimes succumbing to “hate” and “mind games” influencing her decisions over her career, indicating a wish to have handled the criticisms differently.
Reflecting on her experiences, she expressed her regrets, saying, “I wish I hadn’t taken criticisms so personally and let negativity seep into my thoughts. Continuous exposure to derogatory remarks can be convincing, making it hard not to internalize them. I wish I had been able to block out such influences and safeguard my self-assurance because it did affect my self-perception and performance.”
Eugenie Bouchard: A Perception Shift Over a Decade
Bouchard, who descended in the WTA rankings from No. 5 to No. 524 and now divides her time between tennis and Pickleball, voiced her grievances in The Times about the criticism she faced for her social media engagement and brand endorsements.
Recalling past experiences, she remarked, “In the past, after a rigorous six-hour training session, simply sharing a casual social media post like being at the movies would attract negative comments. It felt like my social media presence was perceived as a complete reflection of my daily life.”
Bouchard drew parallels between the pressures she faced regarding her non-tennis endeavors and those faced by present-day personalities like Emma Raducanu or Jack Draper (who expressed his interest in camera work in ‘Vogue’).
“Had I made similar statements a decade ago, I would have been severely criticized on social media… It’s remarkable how societal norms have evolved over the past 10 years, now not only accepting but encouraging activities beyond the court,” reflected the Canadian player.
Bouchard acknowledges feeling constrained in the past, stating, “Previously, I felt restricted, like I was only allowed to engage in tennis. Tennis provided me avenues to venture into fashion, television, and other interests. Why should I have refrained? This is my whole life we are talking about here.
“Pursuing anything besides tennis invited considerable criticism. It was a weight on my shoulders, a challenge to bear. Thankfully, such pursuits are now more embraced. While not the sole trailblazer in this regard, I contributed to normalizing such endeavors.”
