After her debut final at Wimbledon, new sensation Eugenie Bouchard admits she is feeling the pressure of expectation heading into the US Open
Eugenie Bouchard
New York: Eugenie Bouchard admits she is feeling the pressure of expectation heading into the US Open.
Eugenie Bouchard
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The 20-year-old Canadian is the hottest property in women's tennis and has justified the hype by reaching at least the semi-finals at every Grand Slam tournament so far this year.
Last-four appearances at the Australian and French Opens were followed by her debut final at Wimbledon, a remarkable achievement for a player who won the junior title only two years ago.
There was no winners' trophy for Bouchard this time, only a rather chastening thrashing from an inspired Petra Kvitova, but the run lifted her into the top 10 of the world rankings for the first time.
Bouchard said: "They have definitely been busier weeks. I took some time off after Wimbledon, which was necessary, and definitely tried to be normal a little bit for a few weeks, which was actually very nice.
"But for sure, just being recognised a lot more, just feeling a lot of eyes on you no matter what you do, and feeling the expectations and pressure when it comes to tennis. But it's a position I want to be in.
I want to be climbing up the ladder like that. I want to be the one that people want to beat and to get to that position.
"I just feel like I'm on my way to the place I want to be. I'm not there yet. Still a lot of work to do."