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A year ago, Genie Bouchard arrived at Roland Garros ranked No. 77, but having taken a break after a tough loss to Nao Hibino in the first round of qualifying at the Miami Open.
Indeed, there was doubt about whether she would even play at all – but first-round prize money being what it is, it would have been silly to pass it up.
During that time, coach Michael Joyce and trainer Scott Byrnes were given the pink slip. And Bouchard arrived in Paris with Fed Cup captain and pal Heidi El Tabakh helping her out.
She also had her grandmother, Huguette Martin.
Here’s what she looked like in practice.
The match – understandably, given the lack of match play, didn’t go particularly well. Lesia Tsurenko beat her 6-2, 6-2.
Bouchard didn’t play again for another month, when she lost in the first round of the Eastbourne qualifying to Fiona Ferro, and then the first round of Wimbledon to Tamara Zidansek.
You have the best most informative tennis website. Your tennis knowledge is absolutely brilliant as is your in depth writing. Keep up the great work!!
Thank you, Tony!