Montreal, 2025 — On a night dripping with nostalgia and raw emotion, Genie Bouchard said goodbye to tennis in front of the place where it all began. Her final match at the National Bank Open wasn’t about titles or stats — it was about dreams, heartbreak, and a city that watched her rise, stumble, and ultimately bow out in the best way possible.
🎾 The Match: A Final Dance on Home Soil
In her second-round clash with Belinda Bencic, Bouchard battled like a player with nothing to lose. After dropping the first set 6-2, she roared back in set two, winning 6-3 and driving the crowd into a frenzy. She even took a lead in the final set — but Bencic held firm, wrapping it up 6-4.
Though the result was a loss, the match was everything this farewell needed to be. Bouchard didn’t limp off in resignation. She stood tall, swung hard, and dug deep. Every point mattered — whether celebrated or silently mourned.
💔 The Moment That Cracked Hearts
When the final point ended, silence. Then tears — not just from Genie, but from her family, parents, and fans packed into IGA Stadium. Signs reading “Merci, Genie” fluttered in the stands. Her mother cried. Her father stood proud. Genie took the mic afterward, voice trembling:
“I remember being a little kid, sitting in these stands, hoping and dreaming of playing on this court one day… it feels like such a full-circle moment to finish my career here.”
These weren’t rehearsed lines. There was no filter. It was raw, unguarded, and deeply meaningful.
🌟 More Than Just a Goodbye
Earlier in the tournament, Bouchard surprised everyone with a win over Emiliana Arango — her first at a WTA event since 2023. It was a reminder that even as she steps away, the spark that made her special still flickered — maybe still does.
Through her career, she gave more than wins. She gave bold dreams brimmed with hope, Canadian tennis milestones people didn’t know they needed, and a sense of possibility for the next generation.
🔮 What’s Next? Reinvention, Not Retirement
This isn’t “goodbye forever,” she said. She may be leaving the tour, but her voice, legacy, and influence will remain. Plans? She mentioned exploring media, mentorship, and maybe even using her platform to open doors for younger players.
She joked about sleeping in, traveling with no schedule, enjoying life outside the court — yet underneath, there’s clarity: this is her reign over herself now.
