Who is Genie Bouchard?
Eugenie “Genie” Bouchard is a Canadian professional tennis and pickleball player, as well as a model. She made history at the 2014 Wimbledon Championships by becoming the first Canadian-born player to reach the final of a major singles tournament, ultimately finishing as the runner-up to Petra Kvitová. Her impressive performance earned her the WTA Most Improved Player award for the 2014 season, and she reached a career-high ranking of world No. 5, becoming the first Canadian tennis player to be ranked in the top 5 in singles.
While Bouchard later shifted some of her focus to a successful modeling career, including high-profile shoots like the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, she remained active in tennis. In 2023, she transitioned to pickleball, joining the PPA Tour and quickly rising in the rankings. As of this review, she is ranked number 37 in women’s singles, number 49 in doubles, and number 36 in mixed doubles.
The Versix Genie Bouchard Paddle
Upon turning pro in pickleball, Bouchard collaborated with Versix to develop a paddle designed to enhance her performance. The paddle is based on the Versix Vector Thermo-Formed Carbon Fiber Paddle and is available in two colors: pink and blue. It comes in both lightweight (7.7-7.9oz) and standard weight (8.2-8.4oz) versions.
Key features of both versions include a handle with a 4-1/4″ circumference (smaller than most) and a 5.75″ length. The paddle’s core thickness is 15MM, striking a balance between the power of a 14MM paddle and the control of a 16MM paddle, making it ideal for players seeking a blend of power and control.
Performance
During my testing, I evaluated the paddle for control and power. Although I found the handle too small for my liking, an accomplished, hard-hitting female club member tested it and reported excellent performance in her net game, drives, and serves. She is not a “spinner,” so she couldn’t comment on that aspect, but I found that I could generate sufficient spin, especially underspin, while using the paddle. My playing partner was very impressed and loved the paddle.
Summary
The Versix Genie Bouchard Paddle is an excellent choice for tennis players transitioning to pickleball, as the extended handle offers more leverage and power potential without compromising the sweet spot size. Female players or those with smaller hands will appreciate the slightly smaller grip circumference.
Priced at $129, the paddle is relatively affordable compared to other pickleball paddles. You can purchase it here.
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