Former Grand Slam Finalist and ASB Classic drawcard Eugenie Bouchard is adamant the highs and lows of professional tennis have left her more determined than ever to get to the top of the sport.
Speaking to Newshub at the Boxing Day races in Ellerslie, where she was the guest judge at Fashion in the Field, Bouchard's as well known for making appearances around the globe as she is for tennis after several injury-ravaged seasons saw her fall from a career-best ranking of number five, back in 2014 to outside the world's top 100.
Bouchard is something of a social media darling, with 1.8 million followers on Instagram alone - and infamously went on a date with a follower after losing a bet over the Super Bowl result. She commands plenty of attention everywhere she goes - Ellersie proving no different.
But Bouchard says every time she attends such events, "I feel 'wow, I'm so happy my real job is tennis.' I truly enjoy tennis more than any of those things so deep down inside I know that's what I'm meant to do.
"I'm only 24, so I think I have time to keep improving and do good things in tennis."
The Canadian had to qualify for several Grand Slams this year which she described as "a shock...humbling" but her she's climbed back into the world's top 100 and feels ready to get back into the game's upper echelon.
"I feel like the end of the year was a bit of a turning point for me, and I want to keep that momentum going forward."
Bouchard rates the field for the Auckland event as star-studded, and knows as one of the lowest ranked direct entries at 87 in the World, she's likely to face one of the top players early.
"I want to do well here, it's not just for preparation [for the Australian Open]."
She's sure to be well supported when she appears at the ASB Classic for the first time in six years starting on Monday.
Newshub.
