Who says pickleball isn’t dangerous?
Apparently it is, just ask professional tennis player. Eugenie Bouchard.
Bouchard was playing a game of pickleball, when she got roughed up, and took a direct hit to the eye.
She took to social media to share what had happened.
“Got hit in the eye with a pickleball during training today,” Bouchard wrote.
“It was a shank off my partner’s paddle straight into the eye. Went to urgent care and have a scratched cornea.
“The things we do for this sport! Will be healed in a matter of days.”
Bouchard posted two photos of herself on her Instagram story showing the damage.
One of her injured and swollen eye, and the other of her rocking a black eye-patch.
The ball that is used in the sport is a hard plastic, that when struck the right way, can cause legitimate harm.
While not common, Bouchard unfortunately found out the hard way.
A scratched cornea is a serious injury that could have been a lot worse for Bouchard.
Despite the freak injury, she has no interest of putting the paddle down anytime soon.
The professional tennis player is active on the WTA Tour, while also being able to compete as a professional pickleball player on the Carvana PPA Tour.
Bouchard’s best year as a tennis pro, came a decade ago in 2014.
The Canadian born star reached the Wimbledon Finals, falling to Petra Kvitová in straight sets.
Since then, her career has been marred by various injuries, most notably a major shoulder surgery in 2021.
Bouchard hasn’t been able to replicate the early success she once had.
However, she is now enjoying life as a professional in both tennis and pickleball.
Pickleball has grown in its’ popularity in recent years, and has become a legitimate sport in the United States.
Bouchard has jumped on the pickleball wagon, even if it almost cost her an eye.
Luckily for her, she’ll be okay and back on the court soon enough.
