Former tennis sensation Eugenie Bouchard has launched a strong defence of her childhood hero, Anna Kournikova, arguing that the Russian star's substantial on-court achievements have been unfairly overshadowed by her off-court fame. Speaking candidly on the Pickleballers Podcast, Bouchard expressed frustration at the persistent criticism directed at Kournikova and urged critics to acknowledge her legitimate tennis credentials.
Bouchard's Heartfelt Defence of a Childhood Idol
Bouchard, who retired from professional tennis earlier this year, revealed the profound influence Kournikova had on her as a young player. She idolised Kournikova so much that she emulated her style and even convinced her parents to buy her Yonex jackets, the brand her hero endorsed. "I wanted to be just like her. I thought she was so cool and good and pretty," Bouchard shared, highlighting the personal connection that makes the defence so heartfelt.
The core of Bouchard's argument rests on solid, often overlooked statistics. She pointedly challenged Kournikova's detractors, stating, "You get to eight in the world in your field and then come back and talk to me." Bouchard emphasised that Kournikova's career peak of World No. 8 in singles, a Wimbledon semi-final appearance, and multiple Grand Slam doubles titles won with Martina Hingis constitute a record of genuine success.
The Unfair Shadow of Fame and Marketability
Bouchard believes that Kournikova's extraordinary marketability and celebrity status outside tennis created a distorted narrative. "Because she had this whole other side to her and was so marketable and famous... people focus on that and give her so much hate," Bouchard explained. She contends that this glare of global fame led many to dismiss her athletic accomplishments, a phenomenon Bouchard hinted she experienced in her own career to a degree.
"I feel like I went through some similar things as well," Bouchard admitted, expressing a desire to someday sit down with Kournikova to discuss their shared experiences of navigating intense public scrutiny alongside professional sports.
From Tennis Courts to Pickleball Success
While defending a tennis legend's past, Eugenie Bouchard is busy writing a new chapter in her own sporting story. After making her final professional tennis appearance at the Canadian Open in front of a home crowd, she has transitioned to the fast-growing sport of pickleball. Her move has been remarkably successful, with Bouchard already breaking into the top 10 of the singles rankings.
This new venture follows a notable tennis career where Bouchard herself reached a career-high ranking of World No. 5, finished as the runner-up at Wimbledon in 2014, and reached the semi-finals of both the Australian Open and French Open. Her defence of Kournikova is not just about correcting the record; it's a seasoned athlete's perspective on the complex interplay of talent, results, and public perception in professional sports.
