Canadian tennis star Eugenie Bouchard is set to make her debut as part of the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage team this year, but it’s not just her broadcasting role that has people talking.

The former Wimbledon finalist has once again found herself at the center of attention after resurfaced photos and past comments reignited debate about glamour, image, and sex appeal in professional tennis.

Bouchard first captured the world’s attention during her remarkable breakthrough run at Wimbledon in 2014, reaching the women’s singles final at just 20 years old. While her on-court success launched her into global stardom, the Montreal-born athlete also became one of the sport’s most recognizable personalities away from the court.

Earlier this year, the 32-year-old shared a collection of eye-catching throwback photos from 2016 on social media, delighting fans and reminding many why she became one of tennis’ biggest crossover stars. The glamorous images quickly sparked renewed interest online as Bouchard prepared for her new role with the BBC.

The former tennis star has never shied away from discussing the role appearance and marketability can play in the sport. Speaking during a 2024 podcast interview with content creator Valeria Lipovetsky, Bouchard argued that tennis naturally lends itself to a certain level of visual appeal.

“Tennis, first of all, is a great sport for that sex appeal side,” she explained. “We’re wearing short skirts, we’re wearing tank tops. It’s fun to turn on the TV and watch that.”

She also acknowledged that her popularity off the court opened doors to lucrative endorsement opportunities and modeling projects, including multiple appearances in the iconic Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

“Right away I was able to get great marketing deals off the court,” Bouchard said. “Being asked to be in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition a few times. Exploring that path was definitely on my to-do list. It’s definitely part of who I am because I think it’s great.”

Although Bouchard’s stunning run to the Wimbledon final remains the high point of her tennis career, she also reached two Grand Slam semifinals during that breakout 2014 season. However, she was never able to surpass those achievements in the years that followed.

Her final Wimbledon main-draw appearance came in 2019, while a return attempt through qualifying in 2023 ended in a straight-sets defeat to Greet Minnen. Bouchard officially retired from professional tennis in 2025, bringing an end to a career that saw her become one of the most talked-about players of her generation.

Since stepping away from the WTA Tour, Bouchard has successfully reinvented herself in another rapidly growing sport. She turned professional in pickleball in 2024 and has steadily climbed the rankings, currently sitting among the top competitors on the Professional Pickleball Association circuit.

The athlete has also continued to embrace her strong social media presence despite facing criticism throughout her career from those who questioned whether she was becoming more influencer than athlete.

Addressing those comments in a 2019 interview, Bouchard admitted she does care about public perception but chooses to view strong reactions as a sign that she has made an impact.

“Who are the most famous people in the world? They have the most haters in the world,” she said, referencing figures such as Kim Kardashian and Donald Trump. “It’s part of life now, so we have to accept it. You have to distance yourself from it and not take it too personally.”

Now, as Wimbledon returns and Bouchard takes on a prominent broadcasting role for one of tennis’ biggest events, fans will once again be watching closely as the former finalist brings her experience, personality, and star power to the BBC’s coverage.