Eugenie Bouchard defends eight-word remark about world’s richest tennis star

On Sep 12, 2024

Eugenie Bouchard has threatened to ditch social media after causing a storm with her comments on US Open finalist Jessica Pegula.

Pegula impressed in reaching her first Grand Slam final at Flushing Meadows last week, putting up a valiant fight before succumbing to Aryna Sabalenka. Despite her stellar run in New York, there was also plenty of focus on the world No.3’s billionaire background as the daughter of Terry Pegula, the owner of NFL’s Buffalo Bills and the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres.

Former Wimbledon runner-up Bouchard clinched a doubles title with Pegula back in 2012 and leapt to her old pal’s defence after the spotlight was put on Pegula’s affluent upbringing. But Bouchard’s attempt to big up her mate backfired as some tennis fans believed she was throwing shade at Pegula’s performance.

On a post praising Pegula’s hard work to make it to the end of a Grand Slam, Bouchard quipped on X: “Money can’t buy a US Open final lol.” While many spotted that Bouchard was actually singing Pegula’s praises, the Canadian beauty has been forced to set the record straight after coming in for criticism, insisting she admired her ex-doubles partner’s “talent and hard work”.

When one user admitted to having their wires crossed over Bouchard’s post, she clapped back: “Literally how? I’m complimenting her, she achieved a Grand Slam final because of hard work, dedication, etc. not because of money. You can’t buy your way through the US Open draw. She’s amazing. Leaving this app.”

Though she’s yet to delete her X profile with a whopping 1.5million followers, Bouchard has dealt with her fair share of off-court attention since her breakthrough in 2014. Bouchard was soon named the ‘world’s most marketable athlete’ by SportsPro and saw her spending time with A-listers, though injuries and a loss of form impacted her fortunes on the court, now ranked only 570th.

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The 30-year-old seemed like she was done with tennis in 2023 after linking up with the Professional Pickleball Association, but still hits the court for a match here and there, mixing the two sports with some work for Tennis Channel.

As for Pegula, the world No.3 isn’t the only billionaire heiress smashing it as Emma Navarro also stormed into the US Open semis and sits in the top 10 rankings.

Ahead of the US Open, Pegula rolled her eyes at some of the thoughts about her upbringing. “People think I have a butler, I get chauffeured around, I have a private limo, I fly private everywhere,” she said. “I’m definitely not like that. A butler?! It’s a little annoying, but honestly I just think it’s kind of funny.”

Tennis