In a few days' time, Jimmy Connors turned Eugenie Bouchard back from pretender to contender.
Just imagine what he could do for her career if he had more time.
Jimmy Connors Gives Eugenie Bouchard Advice Before U.S. Open
Bouchard strung together three consecutive singles match wins at the U.S. Open for the first time since the Australian Open in January. The hard-luck Bouchard was forced to withdraw from the U.S. Open after falling in a dark locker room and suffering a concussion.
Her revitalization in New York received even more attention because of the pre-tournament collaboration with Connors, a friend who took her under his wing to try to help her overcome her 2015 struggles.
Eugenie's Dream 2014 Season May Actually Have Been A Sham
Connors may have been the one to suggest that Bouchard enter doubles and mixed doubles at the Open, the Vancouver Sun suggested. Because of the New York heat, Bouchard's intention of playing more tennis was risky.
She credited the former No. 1 men's player with infusing confidence in her she had lost during a 12-17 2015 season before the U.S. Open that included a slide of nine losses in 10 matches.
"Working with Jimmy has really given me a different side of things, like a different point of view," Bouchard said, according to Zee News, before her withdrawal from the Open. "He's very energetic. He's kind of lifted my spirits a little bit. He believes in me. He helped me kind of believe in myself more and regain that confidence. That has helped me."
Bouchard said Connors told her, "You're too good to be having the results you're having."
Connors said he just wanted to help Bouchard, whom has known for a couple of years.
"Sometimes you go through a rough patch -- everybody hits it," Connors told the Wall Street Journal before the U.S. Open began. "Nobody's immune to that. You've got to figure out a way to get out of it."
Whether Connors plays a more prominent role in Bouchard's career moving forward remains to be seen. He coached Maria Sharapova last year for a month before she abruptly ended the partnership.
He told the WSJ, "I'm not a coach."
But considering Bouchard's struggles prior to her sessions with Connors, she would be wise to at least offer him an increased role in her development.
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