Eugenie Bouchard is writing her final chapter where it all began, Montréal, Canada. “You’ll know when it’s time,” she shared. “For me, it’s now. Ending where it all started: Montreal ❤️” The former World No. 5 and Wimbledon finalist is set to bow out at the National Bank Open, returning to the stage where she made her main draw debut in 2012. But fate had a twist in store. Bouchard stormed back with a thrilling first-round win, igniting whispers of unfinished business. And then came the shocker as this 31-year-old WTA warrior made an unthinkable claim about rebuking retirement, but only on one bold, game-changing condition.

Eugenie Bouchard made her 2025 debut earlier this month at a WTA 125K event in Newport, Rhode Island, where she fell in straight sets to American Anna Sinclair Rogers. The 31-year-old Canadian has spent most of the past year away from the tour, having played only two events in 2024. Still, when she accepted a wildcard into the National Bank Open, the home crowd held their breath. Tournament Director Valérie Tétreault remarked, “We are very honoured that Genie decided to retire at her home tournament in Montreal and we look forward to celebrating her career and lasting heritage with our fans.”

But Bouchard isn’t going quietly into the night. Her Montreal Masters campaign roared to life with a stunning first-round victory, igniting hope and headlines alike. And now, as the spotlight finds her once more, she’s climbing toward bold declarations, suggesting a twist in her farewell tale. Retirement? Maybe not yet.

Moments after her thrilling first-round win over Emiliana Arango at the National Bank Open, Eugenie Bouchard stood overwhelmed, shocked, jubilant, and visibly moved as she soaked in the roaring love from her home crowd. Her gratitude poured out in a heartfelt gesture to the Montreal faithful who had her back. But the real bombshell came later. In a raw, candid post-match press conference, Bouchard cracked the door wide open on her retirement plans, boldly declaring, “If I win this tournament, I will not retire.”

Well, Eugenie Bouchard’s (potential) last dance in Montreal couldn’t have begun with a better rhythm. Under the bright lights of IGA Stadium and before a thunderous home crowd, she scripted a comeback that felt straight from the heart. On Monday night, the Canadian defeated World No. 82 Emiliana Arango in a gripping three-setter, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. Every winner, every roar from the crowd felt like a celebration of not just her victory, but her journey. Bouchard played like a woman with nothing to lose and everything to prove.

The magic unfolded over 2 hours and 14 minutes, where Bouchard broke Arango’s serve six times, flashing glimpses of her classic aggressive game. This win wasn’t just another tally; it marked her 300th career victory. Now ranked 1,062nd, Bouchard has pivoted in recent years toward the PPA Pickleball Tour, where she sits 12th in singles. But this night, on this court, she looked every bit the WTA warrior fans remember.

From the first ball, the crowd had her back. The stadium, almost full, echoed with heartfelt chants of “Let’s Go Genie!” and “Allez Eugenie!” The fans weren’t just watching a match; they were witnessing a moment, a farewell, or perhaps, a new beginning. Arango briefly took control by going up 3-2 in the first set, converting her third breakpoint. But Bouchard roared back, breaking immediately and capturing the set with a forehand winner down the line that brought the house to its feet.

The second set, however, told a different story. Arango broke Bouchard three times to even the match and force a decider. But champions know how to respond. In the third set, Bouchard shifted gears, breaking Arango twice to race to a 5-1 lead. Although Arango tried one final push, breaking Bouchard as she served for the match, the Canadian quickly regained control. On her second match point, Arango’s backhand flew wide, and Bouchard raised her arms to a standing ovation, blowing kisses to the crowd she’s always called home.

Now, she sets her sights on the second round, where she faces 17th seed Belinda Bencic, who recently lost to Iga Swiatek in the Wimbledon SF, a formidable opponent and a defining test. The stakes couldn’t be higher. For Bouchard, this run in Montreal was supposed to be her swan song. But with every passing match, her body language, her fire, and her fans seem to be whispering something else entirely.

And as she prepares for what might be her final battle, or the beginning of a bold new chapter, one can’t help but ask: why did she even decide to retire in the first place?

Eugenie Bouchard shares the real reason behind retirement

For the past two years, Eugenie Bouchard has quietly stepped back from the center stage, appearing in just a handful of tournaments through 2024 and 2025. Once hailed as Canada’s shining star after her 2014 Wimbledon final run, Bouchard’s career slowly faded from the Grand Slam spotlight. From 2021 to 2023, she failed to qualify for five consecutive majors, a tough pill for someone who once danced with the elite.

But the truth behind her decision came to light during a candid press conference at the Washington Open. With a calm voice and deep reflection, Bouchard peeled back the curtain. “I think all good things come to an end. I love tennis. I’ll always love tennis. I will stay involved in tennis. But it just takes so much dedication, sacrifice, and, you know, dedicating your entire life to have a chance to make it,” she admitted, revealing the immense toll the sport has taken.

She continued with soul-baring honesty, “That’s something I have done my whole life thus far. For me, at a certain point, that’s just not worth it anymore. So I’m kind of at that stage.” Her words painted a picture of a warrior ready to lay down her sword, not in defeat, but in peace. A peace earned after giving the sport everything she had.

Bouchard’s reflection was raw, heartfelt, and full of grace. “I feel like I kind of did the whole spectrum of positive, negative, good results, bad results, and I guess that’s what life is, too, right? So tennis was a little kind of sample of what real life is.”

Now, with a Swedish challenge looming in her supposed final tournament, one burning question remains: can the Canadian conjure one more spark, one more win, and keep her Montreal dream alive just a little longer?