Bouchard returns to the tennis court at Dallas Open

DALLAS, TX - Even though Genie Bouchard has been spending some time on the pickleball court recently, the Canadian tennis star went back to her roots Saturday night for a series of exhibition matches ahead of the Dallas Open.

The Women’s Tennis Classic at Southern Methodist University’s Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex put Bouchard up against 2018 Australian Open champion and former World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki.

Moving away from 3^rd shot drop territory, Bouchard took advantage of the much larger court and produced several winners from the backhand wing.

Wozniacki would go on to win the match 6-4, 6-2, but Bouchard was happy to get back to the court that she’s most familiar with.

“It’s more natural for me, of course. I’ve been playing tennis for 25 years, so it comes back quite instinctively and pretty easily,” the former World No. 5 said. “It’s fun to be able to hit the ball like I always have."

Competing at SMU’s facility also gave Bouchard a taste of the collegiate athletics experience, something she didn’t get to see before turning pro as a teenager.

“I’ve been training here and going into the locker room every day, so I feel like a college student,” she joked. “That’s an experience I never had, and it’s something that I’ve always wished I could have done in another life.”

After the singles match, the two tennis titans were joined by SMU women’s tennis players Taylor Johnson and Drew Morris for a set of doubles.

Bouchard played with the lefty Johnson, while Wozniacki joined forces with Morris.

Wozniacki and Morris jumped out to a 5-2 lead, but Bouchard and Johnson turned the tide and came all the way back to take it 7-5. 

Bouchard/Johnson def. Wozniacki/Morris 7-5. Alex Smith

Once the nerves settled down, it was all fun and games for the SMU junior Morris.

“I was definitely nervous at first, but then I realized there was nothing to worry about because they’re the best of the best and we were out there just having fun,” she shared. “I will never forget the experience—it was awesome.”

Bouchard plans to compete in several events in both pickleball and tennis in 2024 after signing with the PPA in September.

Her next opportunity to compete on the pickleball court is the PPA’s Mesa Arizona Cup beginning Feb. 20.