Bouchard Pulls Out of IPTL
WTA world no.7 Eugenie Bouchard delivered a massive blow to the International Premier Tennis League on the eve of the inaugural competition when the 20 year-old Canadian announced she was pulling out because of an unspecified injury she suffered in training on Monday.
Bouchard will be replaced in the roster of the UAE Royals, based in Dubai, by France’s Kristina Mladenovic, currently ranked 67th in the world at singles and 17 at doubles.
Wimbledon runner-up Bouchard was one of the big name female captures of the IPTL alongside Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova and was expected to line up alongside Novak Djokovic, Marin Cilic, Caroline Wozniacki, Goran Ivanisevic Nenad Zimonjic and Arab player Malek Jaziri for the UAE Royals.
A statement released by IPTL said, “Current World No 7 Eugenie Bouchard who was representing the UAE ‘Royals’ in the inaugural Coca-Cola International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) presented by Qatar Airways, has been forced to withdraw from the League due to an injury she sustained in training on Monday.”
“Talented French tennis star Kristina Mladenovic will take Bouchard’s place and play for the UAE Royals in the upcoming professional team tennis competition.”
Bouchard, who last week travelled to Richard Branson’s Necker Island in the Caribbean for a light-hearted tennis event and was photographed learning how to kite-surf, expressed her regret.
“I’m really disappointed I will be unable to compete in the IPTL this year due to an injury that I recently suffered in practice,” Bouchard said.
“I was excited to be part of the first year and represent the team from Dubai. I wish all of the players the best of luck and I sincerely hope to be healthy and back part of the IPTL next year.”
Speaking on behalf of IPTL, the league’s founder Mahesh Bhupathi said: “Genie’s exit from the IPTL is disappointing news but we’re glad that Kristina was readily available to take her place. We wish Genie a quick recovery. We look forward to her joining us in season two.”
Content via Bob Larson news service
Topics: Eugenie Bouchard, IPTL, Richard Branson, Tennis Canada, Tennis News, Wta
#TENNIS NEWS FROM @Tennis_Canada: @geniebouchard VACAYS WITH @richardbranson ON #NECKERISLAND & BAILS ON THE @iptl… http://t.co/K5OnXckXsT