DALLAS, TX – While the Summer Olympics are officially underway in Paris and we patiently wait for pickleball to someday receive approval from the IOC, Genie Bouchard shared some fond memories from her 2016 Olympic experience in Rio.

The 30-year-old Montreal native, who joined the pickleball ranks in January, is exceptionally proud of representing Canada in tennis.

“It was such a special moment in my career. I walked in the opening ceremony, and that’s one of my favorite moments of my life. It just felt so special and surreal,” said Bouchard. “It gave me a feeling of camaraderie and a team aspect because you’re playing for something bigger than just yourself. I was wearing the same red T-shirt as the other 300 athletes, and it all felt like you were a part of something big.”

Bouchard has played in her fair share of tennis tournaments over the years, but competing in the Olympic tournament - and spending time in the Olympic Village - was truly unique.

“Canada had their own building because we had so many athletes, and the whole building was adorned with maple leaves and all the red and white Canada stuff. It was so fun hanging out with the other athletes, meeting them and talking about our sports and our journeys to get here,” she reminisced. “It was that feeling again where you belong to something bigger than yourself. It was a really special feeling for me.”

Going head-to-head with the best in the business on the world's biggest stage was exceptionally meaningful, of course, but Bouchard also took tremendous joy in watching some of her fellow Canadians compete, too.

“I enjoyed getting the opportunity to watch other sports I’d never seen live before. I was able to go watch gymnastics one day. I also saw swimming, diving, and fencing. Those are things you don’t watch regularly at the pro level, so that was exciting,” she said. “I’m so grateful I got to play, and I would advise anyone who has the opportunity to go as well. It’s really special and it doesn’t come around very often.”

With that in mind, Bouchard was adamant about pickleball becoming an Olympic sport.

“I’ll be an advocate for it,” she mentioned. “I think it will definitely be in the Olympics.” 

And with the UPA’s announcement of going global in 2025 with tournaments in Australia, India, Europe, Asia, and Canada, Bouchard is especially eager to play on home turf.

“I’m so excited. It will be so fun competing in Canada,” she concluded. “I know Canadian fans will come out. It will be great for the Tour to expand by showcasing the sport in different countries and to a different audience.”