With the 2015 WTA tour set to begin, many of the world’s top women’s tennis stars are looking to show dominance. While the men’s game usually features the likes of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, the women’s game is far more wide open.
With Serena Williams slowly declining, many women are looking to claim the mantle of the best in Women’s tennis. Last season, eight different women advanced to Grand Slam finals. Eugenie Bouchard was one of those eight women, and this year she wants her name in the record books.
Bouchard was runner-up at Wimbledon, as she was dominated by Petra Kvitova in the finals, however that one match shouldn’t define what was a stellar breakout year for the young Canadian superstar.
She was able to reach the semifinals of both the Australian and French Open. Bouchard won both the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award (The award is given to Canada’s top female athlete.) and the Tennis Canada Female Player Of The Year.
In addition, she was invited to play in the 2014 WTA finals and was named the WTA Most Improved Player. Eugenie Bouchard joins a list of women’s tennis stars that are poised to have breakout seasons, some of which include Simona Halep, Madison Keys and Sloane Stevens.
However, Bouchard has something the others don’t, and that’s star quality.
Already one of the more celebrated athletes in Canada, Bouchard is looking to win the hearts of the American public as well. In June 2014, she signed a three-year endorsement deal with Coca-Cola, and has deals with Nike and Babolat. (a notable manufacturer of tennis equipment)
While she may not have the fan base or crossover appeal that Serena has, Bouchard is only 20 years of age. She has been to two Grand Slam semi-finals and one final. The scary part is she is still growing into her game.
If she becomes just a little better in her 2015 season then one Grand Slam final is certainly within reach, maybe even two.