Shining a spotlight on celebrities and athletes who love to travel.
The Overhead Compartment with Genie Bouchard starts now….
Her journey — from competing in a historic Wimbledon final to connecting with fans around the world — has taught Genie Bouchard to embrace both the intensity of her professional journey, and the peaceful calm that comes when she has time to rest. She loves the energy of Australia, Brazil, and Italy, while she also treasures quiet moments on a beach, book in hand, enjoying island time. At the Little Dix Bay Cup, she plans to channel that balance by focusing on creativity and fun, hoping guests leave the court not only with new skills but with a deeper love for the game. The Overhead Compartment was excited to tag along with Genie Bouchard for a day to learn all about her game, and her love of Pringles.
OC: You made history as the first Canadian player to reach a Grand Slam singles final. Looking back on that incredible Wimbledon run, what stands out most to you now?
GB: The fact I made it to the finals without dropping a set. But then I got beaten pretty handily in straight sets in the finals so…
OC: You’ve played all over the world, what is your favorite location!
GB: I love Australia! The country is beautiful and the people are really big sports fans.
OC: How do you unwind and recharge when you’re off the court?
GB: I sleep a lot and try to not move physically. Avoid travel of any kind, spend an afternoon on the couch… I’m always “go go go” so it’s important to have that off switch.
OC: You’ve always been admired for your intensity and focus on the court. How do you channel that same energy when you’re playing in a more laid-back, exhibition-style event like this one?
GB: I try to focus more on creativity of the points. I think it’s fun for the crowd (and us players) when we have interesting points and try shots we would maybe not do
in a real match.
OC: The Little Dix Bay Cup offers guests the rare chance to actually share the court with you — what do you hope they take away from that experience?
GB: I hope they love tennis even more after our event! My biggest goal is to inspire them to play more, whether it’s because they had fun with us or because they learned something new.
OC: Tennis is such a global sport — what have you learned from constantly traveling and competing across cultures and continents?
GB: I’ve learned that the world is really big! And each cultures has its own uniqueness and tendencies. It’s all about appreciating the differences.
OC: What advice would you give to aspiring young tennis players that have dreams of someday playing on tour?
GB: Accept how much you have to sacrifice. If you are trying to achieve greatness, then that comes at a cost, and it’s easier to handle that cost if you are aware and accept. This means less social life, family, parties etc. But the sacrifice will ultimately be worth it!
OC: Go to snack when on the road?-
GB: I love chips. I sweat a lot which means I lose a lot of salt so I always find myself wanting to eat salty snacks. Sour cream & onion Pringles top of my list.
OC: Which nation has the most passionate tennis fans?
GB: It’s a tie between Brazil and Italy for me. I distinctly remember fans trying to climb
fences to get pictures / autographs with players in both of those countries.
OC: Once the matches are done and you’re officially on island time — what’s your perfect day in paradise?
GB: Lying on a lounge chair on the beach with a book, good company, and a Coco Loco.
OC: First thing you do when arriving at a hotel in your room?
GB: Take the decorative pillows off the bed if there are any.
OC: Complete the following sentence: I never leave home without:
GB: My lip balm! Can’t have dry flaky lips!
Genie Bouchard, please use care upon departure as items may have shifted in The Overhead Compartment during our journey. Thanks for choosing us for your travel tips! Have a wonderful day!
