TORONTO – After crashing out of Wimbledon in the first round, Genie Bouchard took some time off. She went to a few concerts – met Taylor Swift, got an up close look at Shania Twain – and just decompressed. 

"I definitely tuned out of Wimbledon as soon as I was out," Bouchard admits. "It was painful for me to lose that early in my favourite tournament of the year so I kind of didn't want to know anything about it. I didn't see anything and managed to stay away. Obviously, I know the main results. I know Serena won, because Serena's basically a Goddess."

Bouchard was supposed to challenge Serena Williams and other top players for grand slam titles this season, but since a run to the Australian Open quarterfinals in January, her season has been a big disappointment. Bouchard has now lost 12 of 14 singles matches and tumbled to No. 26 in the WTA rankings. At one point last year she had been up to No. 5. 

Injury issues have played a role in the decline. A grade two abdominal tear hindered Bouchard at Wimbledon where she lost to a qualifier (ranked 117th) in the opening round. The injury is healing well and Bouchard expects to be back in action early next month. The time off following Wimbledon was welcome, but now the 21-year-old is eager to get back to work. 

"It's nice to kind of take a break like that for the mental aspect and also the physical aspect, but it just shows me how much I miss it at the end of the day."

Before her short-lived campaign at the All England Club, Bouchard had downplayed expectations. Considering her poor form and health concerns, she said her only goal was to enjoy the experience and feel good on court. But now the frustration of a lost season is starting to reach a boiling point and the mindset has changed. 

"I've been saying all year that maybe a little bit of patience is required, but now I'm tired of being patient," Bouchard said. "I'm so motivated to turn this around. I feel like the year is almost coming to an end so I'm like, 'Oh my God, what's going on?' I need to get my act together."

There have been plenty of changes for Bouchard to digest this season. She has a new coach – Sam Sumyk – who took over after the Australian Open. She also switched management groups signing on with powerhouse WME/IMG. Recently she also changed trainers and is still looking for a new person to fill that role and help her get back to her top strength level from last season. 

"Good people that will help you improve are hard to find," Bouchard notes. 

All the changes to her camp - combined with the greater expectations this season - have contributed to a crisis of confidence. Last year, Bouchard was hailed for her seemingly unshakeable self-belief, but now she seems lost on court. 

"It's more mental right now," Bouchard says, "just in terms of believing in myself, having that confidence that I can make that backhand down the line nine out of 10 times whereas recently I've been feeling a little more shaky on some things."

Despite everything, Bouchard remains upbeat. She was all smiles at a public event in Toronto on Wednesday promoting a grassroots tennis initiative as well as the upcoming tour events in Canada. 

Last year, Bouchard arrived at her national tournament in her hometown of Montreal riding high following a dramatic run to the Wimbledon finals. But instead of the expected coronation the event turned sour as Bouchard lost on opening night. 

"That tournament last year was kind of the start of the downfall, but this year it might be the start of the going back up again," Bouchard said. 

Bouchard will get the star treatment once again in Toronto when the Rogers Cup kicks off on Aug. 10. 

"I'm looking forward to playing and just turning things around," Bouchard said with a big grin. "I think it's time. Don't you think it's time?"