Fresh off the best year of her booming career, Eugenie Bouchard returns to the scene of her grand slam breakthrough aiming higher than ever.
Bouchard gained plenty from her thrilling run to the semi-finals at last year’s Australian Open, including a self-style Genie Army cheersquad, who are certain to return in force to Melbourne Park in 2015.
Bouchard parlayed that success into a great year at the majors, highlighted by a finals appearance at Wimbledon, the first-ever at grand slam level by a Canadian.
The star turns on tennis’s biggest stages were dulled a little by a disappointing run on debut at the season-ending WTA Championships, where she could only win a a total of 11 games in three lopsided losses to Simona Halep, Ana Ivanovic and Serena Williams.
But that rare reverse was put down to a learning experience, with Bouchard declaring she was raring to go at the Open, where her first-round opponent on Monday evening will be Germany’s Anna-Lena Friedsam.
“This was a great tournament for me last year and it started a great year for me,” the world No.7 said on Sunday.
“I gained so much more experience after that – more big matches, more high-pressure situations.
“It’s great to be back and I just have memories flooding in all the time.”
The 20-year-old is adamant she does not feel any added pressure defending a large chunk of ranking points in Melbourne.
“People keep telling me this, but I try to see it as just a new year,” she said.
“To me it’s 2015 – I start at zero and try to do as well as I can.
“My past results don’t mean anything when I’m going to walk out on the court tomorrow.
“I still have to fight and try to play as well as I can.
“I have great memories from last year, but it doesn’t really mean anything to me this year.”
The big change for Bouchard is on the coaching front after she parted ways late last year with long-time mentor Nick Saviano.
In her corner this time is hitting partner Diego Ayala, although she stopped short of describing him as her temporary coach.
“He was someone I worked with when I was younger,” said Bouchard.
“So there’s that familiarity I have with him right now which is good.
“He’s been on tour with a few players and he can hit really well, as well.”
GENIE’S STELLAR 2014 SEASON IN THE SLAMS
Australian Open: Reached semi-finals, lost to eventual champion Li Na
French Open: Reached semi-finals, lost to eventual champion Maria Sharapova
Wimbledon: Reached final, lost to eventual champion Petra Kvitova
US Open: Reached fourth round, lost to Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova
