EUGENIE BOUCHARD has hit out at critics of her off-court social media antics.
The Canadian, 30, reached the 2014 Wimbledon final, losing out to Petra Kvitova.
She also built up a huge social media following, being active on both Instagram and X.
Bouchard reached a career high No5 in the world, but suffered a dip in form after suffering a concussion at the 2015 US Open – eventually winning an out-of-court settlement with the USTA.
Following a significant fall in her ranking, criticism of Bouchard’s social media presence only increased.
Speaking to Vogue earlier this summer, British No1 Jack Draper admitted: “I quite enjoy being in front of the camera. If I’m looking good, that is.”
While having no issue with Draper’s comment, Bouchard subsequently took to social media to call out hypocrisy.
She wrote: “If I had said this 10 years ago I would have been crucified.”
In an interview with The Times, Bouchard delved deeper into the treatment she received for her social media presence during her pomp.
The charismatic star said: “Back in the day, I could train six hours during the day before later posting on social media about being at the movies and I would get hate.
“It was like, well, social media isn’t an exact representation of my day.
“It’s great that the world has changed over the past 10 years and now not only is it acceptable to do off-court things, it’s actually encouraged.
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“Back in the day, I felt like I was being shoved into a box, like you can’t do anything besides tennis.
“I was like, tennis has given me opportunities to explore the fashion world, TV and all these other things. Why would I say no? We’re talking about my life in its entirety here.
“I would get so much hate for doing anything other than tennis. It was a burden I would bear on my shoulders and it was really hard.
“At least it’s more accepted now. Not that I was the only pioneer to do these things but I feel like I made it a little bit more normal.”
Bouchard currently languishes at No524 in the world – having entered just one event this year.
While the one-time WTA title winner insists that she has not retired from tennis, Bouchard does admit that she has a new priority.
After failing to qualify for last year’s US Open, she was approached by the Pro Pickleball Association – and has since prioritised the emerging sport.
Bouchard, who recently posted pics raking her garden in a bikini, said: “It just seemed like a really unique opportunity and I love being a part of something that’s growing so quickly and is so popular right now.
“Also there is challenging myself. I’ve done tennis for 25 years and I find it stimulating for my brain to try something new.
“I’m going to put tennis tournaments in where I can fit them in my schedule. Tennis is what I love and what I still want to keep doing. The pickleball schedule is the priority but I do want to insert those tennis tournaments.”
