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Two-time grand slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova has told Sport Express that Eugenie Bouchard is the ‘most overrated’ player on the women’s tour.
The 32-year-old, who has won 17 WTA titles so far in her career, made the comments during a lengthy interview with the Russian website. Kuznetsova believes that the Canadian player is often overhyped on the tour for her accomplishments of the past. Bouchard is best known for reaching the final of the 2014 Wimbledon Championships at the age of 20. Since then, she has only managed to reach the quarterfinals at one other major tournament.
“She is a cool girl, but there are many great tennis players. Bouchard had only one good season, but looks like she is a consistent Top 10 player based on this hype and attention.” Said Kuznetsova.
“She is constantly on the covers, on that, on this. But I’m used to the idea that injustice is everywhere.” She added.
This season, Bouchard has endured a lacklustre run by winning 13 out of 34 main draw matches. After Wimbledon, the 23-year-old only managed to win two matches at seven tournaments. As a result, she ends the year ranked outside the world’s top 80 for the first time since 2012. Something the Canadian is eager to forget about.
“I’m not in a great place for sure,” Bouchard told The Montreal Gazette. “I had obviously a few injuries, which doesn’t help the confidence level in your game and also just in your body and yourself. But I just didn’t perform as I would like to. So the goal is to not think about that any more and look forward and try to do better.”
Kuznetsova, who has won 32 out of 49 matches played in 2017, has a 3-0 head-to-head record against Bouchard.
‘Cancel five-setters’
Kuznetsova has also voiced her opposition five-set matches. The format is used on the men’s tour during grand slam tournaments and in the Davis Cup. The Russian admits that she has never watched an entire best-of-five encounter, arguing that it is tough for both players and coaches.
“I would cancel five-setters in men’s tennis.” She stated. “I’ve never seen a 5-setter from first ball to the last ball. Not even once! I could imagine it’s really tough for coaches to sit for 5 hours every other day.“
Earlier this year, the Davis Cup announced that matches will be reduced to three sets next year for teams playing in Group I and II. The second and third highest ranked groups of the tournament. It has been done with the aim of attracting more players to play in the competition. There are currently no plans to change the format of men’s grand slam matches.
It isn’t just five-set matches that Kuznetsova would like to change. She also called for the tour calendar to be shortened. Both the ATP and WTA tours take place between January-November. In recent months, calls for a shorter growing season has been on the men’s circuit following a series of high profile injuries. Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka, Andy Murray, Kei Nishikori and Milos Raonic all ended their seasons early due to physical problems.
“I’d shorten the tennis season. We are playing from January to November and preparing for next season in December. I have only two weeks off per year. I’ve been living like this for 17 years.” Said the former world No.2.
Kuznetsova is currently recovering from wrist surgery and is likely to miss the Australian Open in January.