Former World No.5 Eugenie Bouchard has had a poor run of form in recent years. But now, the Canadian firmly believes that she is on the right track to rediscover her mojo. She spoke to The National‘ ahead of the upcoming Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

However, that does not mean that she was trying to live up to her career-best results ahieved in 2014. That year, the 24-year-old managed to reach the Wimbledon final. In addition to that, she was in the last 4 for Australian Open and Roland Garros.

“I really don’t want to look back and try to be myself from five years ago,” she said to The National. “I want to be the best version of myself today and just always give myself a chance. Week after week if you keep pushing and keep giving yourself the chance, then one week you are going to break through. I have that belief and I just have to keep working towards it.”

Bouchard’s tactic is to be as physical as possible on court. The World No.80 is competing later today in Dubai against Belarus’s Vera Lapko. Her partnership with Michael Joyce is seen as a continuation of her work with Robert Lansdorp.

Speaking about Joyce and Lansdorp, Bouchard elaborated, “[He] actually coached Mike back in the day, so they both kind of have the same voice, which I really like,” said Bouchard. “I really like what he thinks about my game, how he sees my game in the future… it’s just been very enjoyable so far.”

She went on to describe her idea to incorporate aggression and physicality to her game. Bouchard explained, “When I’m moving well, that’s when my game works its best. Because I’m able to take the ball early and also defend when I need to. And then improving weapons like serve, being super aggressive on return. Generally being aggressive and being myself out there as well.”

The Canadian hopes to build on the solid foundation she left in recent months. Bouchard is the 2014 Nurnberg champion and ended 2018 with a semifinal finish in Luxembourg.

“I truly appreciate now what I do as a job, and I consider myself very lucky to be able to travel to amazing cities like Dubai,” said the 24-year old. “I make more effort now to see the cities I’m in and just appreciate the blessings I have in life.”