EUGENIE BOUCHARD has dumped tennis for PICKLEBALL.
And upset fans of the “hottest tennis player ever” are having a fickle bawl at her shock decision.
Pickeball bosses proudly unveiled ‘big signing’ Eugenie Bouchard
Instagram @geniebouchardMany Instagram followers were distressed by Eugenie’s move[/caption]
GettyBouchard’s tennis career could be over, including raw memories of defeat to Dayana Yastremska in the US Open QUALIFYING event[/caption]
Pickleball chiefs are calling the ex-world No5‘s switch to their professional circuit “one of the biggest signings of the year”.
But the 2014 Wimbledon finalist, 29, has faced a volley of agonised comments online.
Many of Bouchard’s 2.4million Instagram followers bemoaned the “sad moment” – as she causes a ding-dong by moving to what one fan called “giant ping-pong”.
But others reckon the Canadian’s fall down the tennis rankings to No215 means she will be no great loss to the more traditional sport.
One observer had a subtle swipe by posting: “Good luck to Genie. It’s ok for ex-tennis players to make a living in a less demanding sport.”
Another said: “Man wow it really has gone downhill for Genie from WTA to pickleball.”
A third groaned: “I just can’t get onboard the Pickleball train. I find it like watching giants on a mini tennis court. Not a fan.”
Bouchard hasn’t officially turned her back on tennis for good – but she’s signed to Pickleball from next year.
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She follows ex-world No8 men’s tennis player Jack Sock, who made the change in sports after the US Open.
And if Sock’s appeal couldn’t be guaranteed for Pickleball, it surely can now – after the addition of “one of the prettiest ladies on Earth”.
Instagram @geniebouchardThe Canadian is looking for a bright future in new sport Pickleball, which already has more than 50,000 courts in the USA[/caption]
GettyThe Miami-based star is hoping to glitter in her new sport[/caption]
Instagram @geniebouchardEugenie impressed fans with a daunting gym regime[/caption]