The astronomical rise of pickleball reached its highest point yet on Thursday as the PPA Tour (The Pro Tour of Pickleball) added Genie Bouchard to its roster. She is the second professional tennis player to defect after the 2023 U.S. Open and immediately becomes the most recognizable and biggest name amongst professionals in the sport.
Bouchard, 29, was ranked as high as No. 5 in the world back in 2014 and ascended to superstardom with her Wimbledon finals appearance that year. Her social media presence off of the court has also helped her to remain relevant over the last few years while struggling to come back from multiple injuries.
Now, after a loss in the qualifying rounds in New York, Bouchard will trade her racquet for a paddle. The PPA Tour announced that Canadian has signed on to compete in pickleball beginning next year.
Although Bouchard is making the move in 2024, she has yet to comment on what it means for her tennis future. There is a chance that she could try to play both sports.
She may also finish out this year on the tennis court and then make the switch. Or she may retire from tennis and focus entirely on pickleball.
But it sounds like her tennis career is not yet over as of right now!
Genie Bouchard joins Jack Sock in the move.
Jack Sock once ranked as high as No. 8 in the world in men’s singles. He officially retired from tennis after a dominant career in mixed doubles after a first round loss at the U.S. Open last week.
Sock has dabbled in pickleball over the last few years and is expected to quickly rise up the ranks.
It is assumed that Bouchard will be just as good when she makes the switch. Perhaps she and Sock will team up for mixed doubles?