‘I Thought I Was Playing Serena Williams’ – Canadian Eugenie Bouchard Says She Couldn’t Even Handle a Girl Ranked 200 During Her Comeback

Eugenie Bouchard returned to the tennis court last August at a WTA 125 tournament in Vancouver after a 17-month hiatus. However, the Canadian tennis star’s comeback has been a rollercoaster ride. In a recent interview, Bouchard spoke about her experience of playing her opponent after a long break from the professional circuit and shared how it felt like she was playing against Serena Williams.

Bouchard’s comeback started slowly, as she looked very rusty and suffered a defeat in the qualifiers of the first Grand Slam of the season. Despite the disappointing start, she is optimistic that she can continue playing without any issues and regain her best form.

Bouchard felt like playing Serena Williams while facing a lower-ranked opponent

Bouchard’s first match was a shock to her system. She was playing against an opponent who was ranked around 200 in the WTA rankings. Her opponent’s serve was particularly troubling her, as she felt like she was playing against Serena Williams. The Canadian had found it difficult to adjust to the speed of the game. During the interview with the WTA Tour website, she recalled feeling overwhelmed and thinking, “Oh my God” as the ball came flying toward her.

Despite the initial shock, Bouchard was able to quickly improve. Her shoulder did not cause her any trouble, and she could play without discomfort. Bouchard had been struggling with the injury for some time. She shared, “I thought I was playing Serena. Her ball was coming so fast at me.”

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Bouchard’s return to tennis has been a long journey. She has had to overcome many obstacles, both physically and mentally. The 17-month break from the sport took a toll on her and she was eager to get back on the court. Her determination and perseverance have paid off, and she is now in a good place, both physically and mentally.

Bouchard once gushed over a particular aspect of Serena’s game

Bouchard had once expressed a desire to have a serve similar to that of Serena Williams. The two players have faced each other four times, with Williams winning three of the matches. Despite the limited number of matches, Bouchard was able to appreciate the power and precision of Williams’ serve.

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In a podcast, she stated that she would choose to have Williams’ serve, as it often got her out of difficult situations and is considered one of the best shots in tennis. She added that the element of disguise in its placement makes it even more impressive.