Eugenie Bouchard ignores social media trolls as world No332’s tennis career nosedives

EUGENIE BOUCHARD says she simply ignores the haters on social media as her tennis career has nosedived.

The Canadian is more recognised now for her internet profile and racy swimsuit photo-shoots than her exploits on the court.

The 26-year-old – who lost to Czech Petra Kvitova in the 2014 Wimbledon women’s final – was once ranked fifth in the world.

Yet following poor form, injuries and one incident of concussion she has tumbled in the world rankings to 332nd position.

Away from tennis, the Las Vegas-based star has gained worldwide fame for revealing her dating experiences to a combined 5.2million followers on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Naturally she gets a lot of negativity but she told CNN: “It’s tough. The most important thing is to not hate back. Accept it for what it is.

“Understand it’s more a reflection of them and how they feel. Not necessarily that you’re a horrible person.

I realise everyone has haters. It means you have stood up or done something in your life. Take it as a reverse compliment.

Eugenie Bouchard

“It’s hard. There’s so much negativity out there. I don’t read it all. It would be a waste of time.

“There are a lot of positives out there. I try to focus on that. I realise everyone has haters. It means you have stood up or done something in your life. Take it as a reverse compliment.

“Someone has their own issues or are mean and negative. You shouldn’t worry about someone like that. I take a step back and don’t take it personally.

“I was born in a generation where Facebook was the rage at 14 and all your friends posted things.

“Even though I have been in the public eye, I have stayed true to who I was and my generation, acting on social media as if I was a normal kid. For me, it’s second nature.

“Every person my age I know is active on social media – why is that such a big deal for me? I try to be as true to myself as possible.”

Bouchard, who hopes to play in a US exhibition in Charlestown next month, has been swiping on dating app Bumble in lockdown in the search for love.

She said: “I first tweeted months ago I’d prefer a boyfriend in quarantine instead of having to do virtual dates.

“It has been fun. I have done a virtual date for charity.