Montreal
Bouchard Secures 300th Career Win, Delays Retirement Plans
Canadian tennis star Genie Bouchard extended her career for at least one more match on Monday, defeating Emiliana Arango 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 in the first round of the National Bank Open. The 31-year-old, who announced she would retire after this farewell tournament in her hometown, celebrated her first WTA Tour win since 2023 and the 300th victory of her career.
Bouchard, a former Wimbledon finalist and two-time Grand Slam semifinalist in 2014, has largely transitioned to pickleball in recent years, playing just one match this season before receiving a wild card entry in Montreal. After splitting the first two sets, Bouchard took control in the decider by breaking the 82nd-ranked Arango twice to lead 5-1. Although Arango briefly pulled one break back, the Canadian closed out the match on her second match point when the Colombian sent a backhand wide.
Following the victory, Bouchard waved and blew kisses to the home crowd, visibly emotional. I told my family that if I won, I would come out of retirement, she said on center court. I felt like the old Genie out there.
With the win, Bouchard advances to face 17th seed Belinda Bencic in the next round. In other first-round results, Emma Raducanu defeated Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-2, 6-4, while Naomi Osaka made her long-awaited return to action.
