Eugenie Bouchard isn't winning very many style points, although her candor is refreshing.
But is it an acceptable substitue for good sportsmanship?
Tennis.com reported that the Canadian tennis star refused to shake hands with Romania's Alexandra Dulgheru before their opening match at the Fed Cup over the weekend.
Troubled Canadian tennis star Eugenie Bouchard compares her struggles to those of Tiger Wood
Credit Dulgheru for not making a scene of what could have been a more awkward situation when Bouchard, currently the world's No. 7-ranked player, waved her off when she extended her hand during a news conference before the tie.
Bouchard defended her actions as common sense. At least to her.
Eugenie Bouchard seeks answers after losing third straight match
"It's nothing personal towards her; I just don't believe in wishing my opponent good luck before the match, but, you know, after we play tomorrow, I will shake her hand no matter what happens," Bouchard said, according to tennis.com.
Bouchard's politically incorrect handshake-refusal stance has taken place before. She also stiffed Slovakia's Kristina Kucova before the Fed Cup tie between Canada and Slovakia in 2014.
Dulgheru earned the karma payback as she defeated Bouchard 6-4, 6-4. Bouchard followed that with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 loss to 104th-ranked Andreea Mitu as Romania defeated Canada to move on in Fed Cup play, tsn.ca reported.
Bouchard now has lost five consecutive matches and is searching for answers under new coach Sam Sumyk. After reaching three semfinals in Grand Slam events in 2014 - including the French Open Final - Bouchard surprisingly split from coach Nick Saviano, who had guided her career since she was 12 years old.
The reaction to the tennis.com report was clearly not understanding of Bouchard's stance.
"This kind of attitude does not speak of a top player - rather of a snobbish person who has her nose up in the air!" one responder wrote. "Grow up Bouchard - even top players like Serena and Sharapova are courteous and humble. As for you - you are nowhere as good as them!"
Bouchard admitted the present being a difficult time in her career. Both on and off the court.
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