Bouchard embraces the Olympic spirit

RIO DE JANEIRO – As Genie Bouchard walked into the Opening Ceremony with Team Canada on Friday night all the stress, all the pressure, everything just melted away. 

"I had this feeling that I would remember that moment for the rest of my life," the 22-year-old said. "It was this kind of out of body experience. I don't know what happened, but I was in awe when I walked into the stadium. That is a moment I'll remember forever."

It's a moment that her Olympic coach wasn't so sure was a good idea at first. Many athletes who compete the next day will skip the Opening Ceremony to get some rest. 

"I knew she was going to go to bed late," said Canadian Fed Cup captain Sylvain Bruneau, who is in Rio supporting Bouchard and her doubles partner Gabriela Dabrowski. "I knew she was playing the fourth match (on Court 3) so that would give her some time. But she really embraced the Opening Ceremony. She really liked it. She was really into it. It was her first time so I think it had a good affect on her. She went on court today and it's the Olympics and she played for her country."

Bouchard has spent much of her life playing an individual sport so this opportunity to take part in the Olympics and be part of something bigger than herself has seemed to spark her. Bouchard certainly seemed energized during a 6-3, 6-3 win over Sloane Stephens on Saturday. On paper, it was an upset as Bouchard is ranked 39th while Stephens is 22nd although the American has been struggling of late.  

"It was fun out there and I was feeling a little bit of a different atmosphere," Bouchard said. "Obviously, I was playing for myself, as usual, but a little bit more for my country today so I'm proud to have gotten the job done."

Bruneau was asked what he liked best about Bouchard's performance. 

"Pretty much everything," he said. "I think on every level she played a really good match. She was mentally really into it on every single ball, every single point. She had a great mindset. Her game was on and I think it was because of her mindset. She was able to hit the ball with authority, clean, good depth and she was very aggressive, which she needs to do."

In Monday's second-round match, Bouchard will face either No. 2 seed Angelique Kerber or the 82nd ranked Mariana Duque-Mariño. Bouchard has won three straight matches against Kerber, including one earlier this season in Rome. Bouchard won her only previous meeting against Duque-Mariño. 

On Sunday, Bouchard will continue to embrace the team spirit as she joins forces with Dabrowski in the doubles competition. They will face the Polish tandem of Paula Kania and Klaudia Jans-Ignacik. A victory could set up a showdown with the Williams sisters in the second round, which would be a special experience.  

Considering how much fun Bouchard is having in Rio, it's easy to forget she agonized over the decision to come to her first Olympics. So, does it seem crazy now that she considered missing out on this?  

"It doesn't seem crazy," said Bouchard, who had concerns about the Zika virus. "For me, I'm happy I took the time, because I realized what I really wanted. As I got closer to the Games, I realized in my heart I couldn't miss it."

In recent months, Bouchard has spoken about the trying times she had last year when she let outside voices dictate what she did and, in general, stress her out. She's vowed to play and live on her terms this season. And, at the Olympics, she appears to be doing just that.