In a surprising turn of events, Canadian tennis star Genie Bouchard has announced that she will be leaving X (formerly Twitter) after a post she made about fellow player Jessica Pegula received unexpected backlash.
The controversy began to unfold on Monday when Bouchard made a comment on social media that read, “Money can’t buy a US Open final,” just as Pegula secured her spot in the final match of the tournament. Pegula, who hails from a privileged background as the daughter of billionaire sports team owners Terry Pegula, has often faced criticism for her wealth playing a role in her success in tennis. This led some users to misconstrue Bouchard’s words as a slight against Pegula.
Realizing the misunderstanding, Bouchard took to X the following day to clarify her intentions behind the post. She emphasized that her comment was meant to praise Pegula’s hard work and dedication rather than belittle her achievements. In response to a user who accused her of throwing shade, Bouchard fired back, “Literally how? I’m complimenting her, she achieved a GS final bc of hard work, dedication, etc., not bc of money. You can’t buy your way thru the US Open draw. She’s amazing. Leaving this app.”
It is clear that Bouchard’s words were intended to uplift Pegula and acknowledge her accomplishments on the court. Despite the misconception among some fans, the Canadian tennis star’s admiration for Pegula’s skills and determination shines through in her explanation. As Bouchard bids farewell to X, it is evident that her respect for Pegula remains unwavering.