Eugenie Bouchard, who knocked off world No. 2 Angelique Kerber in three sets in Rome on Wednesday, says that even though she slumped last year, she learned a lot in the process.
The former world No. 5, Bouchard hadn’t beaten a Top 10 player since September of 2014, when she topped Caroline Wozniacki in Wuhan.
The 22-year-old Canadian has played better this season. She even reached two finals, though they were at smaller events.
“Ups and downs happen to everyone in life, no matter who you are or what you do in life,” said Bouchard, who’s currently ranked No. 46."...For me and my career, which is tennis, I have learned a lot. I have learned more on those down moments than I have when things have been going well. So I'm grateful for those lessons that I learned.
"I think I'll become a better player and person because of it. It's about being positive in those tough moments and having people around you that truly believe in you; not just the people who are there when you win, but the people who are there when you lose and you're not doing well. Those are the people around [that] you want to support you.
"And I have to continue to believe in myself. Just gotta stay positive."
Bouchard recently re-hired Nick Saviano to be her coach. Saviano worked with Bouchard in 2014, when she reached the Australian Open and French Open semifinals and the Wimbledon final. But at the end of the year, Saviano and Bouchard ended their relationship, and the coach began working with Sloane Stephens. A few weeks ago, he reunited with Bouchard again.
“I have known him since I was 12,” Bouchard said. “He knows me so well as a person and as a player ... I like his mentality, and I like how he sees the game of tennis and how he sees my game. I think I'm on the right path with him. We kind of started again where we left off, so it was very easy to get back into it.”
After defeating Kerber in three sets, Bouchard was knocked out by Barbora Strycova, 6-1, 6-0, in the third round on Thursday.