Genie Bouchard is shaking up the pickleball world with her debut season as a competitor in the Pro Pickleball Association (PPA). The Canadian tennis star, who turned pro at 15 and won one career title on the WTA Tour, has taken to the sport like a fish to water. Bouchard's background in singles tennis has proven to be an asset, but she also acknowledges that pickleball requires a different skill set.
Bouchard began her transition from tennis to pickleball about two years ago and credits it with being "a nice transition" that made the leap easy. She believes the timing was right for her to make this change, as it allowed her to stay in top physical condition while still pursuing her passion for sports. Bouchard also appreciates the social aspect of pickleball, saying she has started playing left-handed and enjoying the camaraderie with fellow players.
Singles is a natural fit for Bouchard, who excels at this format due to its similarities with tennis. However, pickleball has some unique characteristics that require adaptability. For example, the ball doesn't bounce in the same way as in tennis, making it essential to move well and get low to hit shots. Bouchard's height is not an advantage in pickleball, especially on grass courts like Wimbledon.
The 5'10" tennis star has seen success so far in her PPA career, including a runner-up finish at the Rate Vegas Open and a silver medal at Life Time Arden tournament. With a ranking of No. 9 as a singles player and No. 45 in doubles, Bouchard is considered one of the rising stars in pickleball.
Bouchard's ambassador role for pickleball has also been on full display. She will participate in a celebrity pickleball match against Dirk Nowitzki at the Jenius Bank Pickleball World Championships, with all proceeds benefiting the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation. This event is part of the Carvana PPA Tour and features other celebrities like Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Owens and MLB star J.D. Martinez.
As Bouchard navigates her new career in pickleball, it's clear that she has a natural talent for the sport. With her competitive drive, adaptability, and infectious personality, she is poised to make waves in the world of professional pickleball.
Bouchard began her transition from tennis to pickleball about two years ago and credits it with being "a nice transition" that made the leap easy. She believes the timing was right for her to make this change, as it allowed her to stay in top physical condition while still pursuing her passion for sports. Bouchard also appreciates the social aspect of pickleball, saying she has started playing left-handed and enjoying the camaraderie with fellow players.
Singles is a natural fit for Bouchard, who excels at this format due to its similarities with tennis. However, pickleball has some unique characteristics that require adaptability. For example, the ball doesn't bounce in the same way as in tennis, making it essential to move well and get low to hit shots. Bouchard's height is not an advantage in pickleball, especially on grass courts like Wimbledon.
The 5'10" tennis star has seen success so far in her PPA career, including a runner-up finish at the Rate Vegas Open and a silver medal at Life Time Arden tournament. With a ranking of No. 9 as a singles player and No. 45 in doubles, Bouchard is considered one of the rising stars in pickleball.
Bouchard's ambassador role for pickleball has also been on full display. She will participate in a celebrity pickleball match against Dirk Nowitzki at the Jenius Bank Pickleball World Championships, with all proceeds benefiting the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation. This event is part of the Carvana PPA Tour and features other celebrities like Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Owens and MLB star J.D. Martinez.
As Bouchard navigates her new career in pickleball, it's clear that she has a natural talent for the sport. With her competitive drive, adaptability, and infectious personality, she is poised to make waves in the world of professional pickleball.
I love how she's embracing her lefty side too, that's so underrated in tennis. And can we talk about how cool is it to see a celeb match with Dirk Nowitzki? that's gonna be lit!
! I mean, can you believe this Canadian tennis star just turned pro at 15? She's got some serious skills, but it's awesome that she's finding a new passion in pickleball. The fact that she's taking to it like a fish to water is insane - her background in singles tennis definitely helps, but she's also being super adaptable and learning to play left-handed. I love how she mentions the social aspect of pickleball too - it's all about the camaraderie, right? 
. The social aspect is definitely part of its charm, and I love that she's embracing her left-handed side 
. As a fan, it's great to see her competing at such a high level, and that celebrity match against Dirk Nowitzki sounds like a blast 
. Let's see if she can keep the momentum going and become a dominant force in pickleball! 
It's awesome how she's been able to adapt to the sport and make it work for her. The fact that she's exceling in singles is no surprise, but it's cool to see her trying out left-handed and enjoying the social aspect of the game.
. It's not just about the game itself, but also about having fun and making new friends. And let's be real, who wouldn't want to see a 5'10" tennis star take on Wimbledon grass courts? 
She's got some serious skills, too - that runner-up finish at Rate Vegas Open was no joke! 
but she makes it look easy lol. its nice 2 see her having fun w/ the other players & enjoying the social side of it 
anyway, shes def one 2 watch in pickleball 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to switch from hitting tennis balls that fly through the air to hitting paddles on a court with a ball that bounces (sort of) like a beach ball 
. I mean, a 15-year-old pro in tennis turning pro in pickleball two years ago? That's a pretty quick transition, don't you think? 
What's the evidence that she's been training specifically for pickleball all this time? Has she talked to other players or coaches about her experience switching from tennis?
I'm not hating on Genie, but let's see some solid stats and results before we start calling her a rising star. How many tournaments has she won in the PPA? What's her actual ranking in pickleball compared to tennis? 
I mean, who wouldn't want to play a game where you have to hit a ball that doesn't bounce? Sounds like a real challenge for someone with tennis skills... like Genie Bouchard 
. Not sure how well she'll do against other players who aren't used to being on court for two hours straight 
.
. But hey, adaptability is key and Bouchard's got this! The fact that she's having so much fun playing left-handed too is a total win in my book 
. And let's be real, Bouchard's height is actually an advantage in some aspects of pickleball, not a disadvantage 
- who will come out on top? Will it be Bouchard's competitive drive or Nowitzki's... um, let's say, "legendary" status 
. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad she's getting into the sport and all, but let's not jump to conclusions just yet 
.
! She's like a total rockstar over on the pickleball court 
, and her background in tennis is serving her so well 
Those adorable outfits she wears on the court are giving me life 
! Plus, she's got that iconic Canadian spirit 
. I'm def gonna be keeping an eye on her throughout this PPA season 
. Let's get ready for a whole lotta pickleball greatness 
. With her ranking on the rise and her participation in high-profile events like the celebrity match against Dirk Nowitzki, I'm excited to see where Bouchard takes her pickleball career next!