Genie Bouchard’s best memory of Atlanta was visiting CNN as a child. Her exhibition match against Venus Williams on Sunday probably updated her favorite recollection.
Bouchard, Canada’s No. 1 player, squared off with Williams in the BB&T Atlanta Open at Atlantic Station on Sunday night. She was defeated, 4-6, 6-7 with the second set requiring a tie-breaker (7-4).
It was the first women’s match in tournament history, and the first match Bouchard has played in Atlanta.
She had visited the city before, but not in a professional capacity.
“I got in late (Saturday) night, so I haven’t seen too much,” Bouchard said Sunday afternoon. “But I heard it’s a great city. I’d been here as a kid, so I don’t remember too much, although we visited the CNN headquarters with my family. So those are my memories of Atlanta so far.”
The exhibition is a better form of practice, according to Bouchard. Opposing Williams’ “powerful game” will help her physically, she said.
“I’m really happy to be here and to play against Venus tonight,” Bouchard said before the match. “It’ll be an honor to share a court with such a legend … I’m super excited.
“It’s like match play. It’s better than practice for me. So I’ll see it as some sort of practice match and obviously play one of the best players ever. It’s all positive and that’s what I do.”
Bouchard, 23, faced Williams in 2013 and 2014, winning the latter match in Charleston. She recalled both matches being extraordinarily tough and long.
“It’s always challenging to prepare for someone so great,” Bouchard said. “… I always love it. Because to me, it’s a chance to challenge myself to see how far away I am from where I want to be.”
The 37-year-old Williams sees some of herself in Bouchard.
“She plays a game that’s similar to mine. She’s short-strokes, moves around the court well, very competitive. So I’ll have to see what’s working tonight because I haven’t played her in so long. So I don’t know exactly what the game plan will be.
“It’s an opportunity for us to play great tennis, and to be very loose. Just to be entertaining.”
To prepare for the Atlanta heat, Bouchard had been training in hotter conditions, including Florida. Though she admits the humidity is difficult to prepare for.
“It’s about wanting to feel strong on the court,” she said. “Because for me, when I feel that, I have the most confidence in myself and in my game. And that could help me have the best chances when I’m playing.”
Bouchard hopes she leaves Atlanta not just with new memories of her own, but having left an impression on the audience.
“I want to show them (the crowd) my best tennis,” she said. “I want to go out there and perform, really enjoy the crowd. It’s always fun when you play in front of a new crowd that’s maybe never seen you live before, and as a player, one you’ve never played in front of. I always think that’s really cool. Hopefully I’ll get some new fans tonight.”
Bouchard’s next event is the World Team Tennis on July 27.
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