Rising star Eugenie Bouchard said Friday that she was too focused on furthering her tennis career to make friends with rival players on tour, describing such relationships as “distractions”.
The Canadian, the third seed at this year’s Australian Open, has made no secret of her burning desire to win a grand slam and said she preferred to remain “in my own bubble” rather than cultivate friendships.
She proved that on the court on Friday, coolly demolishing fellow rising star, world No 36 Caroline Garcia, 21, of France, 7-5, 6-0 to set up a meeting with Irina Begu in the fourth round.
Her comments contrast with Australian Open top seed Serena Williams’ attitude, with the American praising the camaraderie on tour and saying it had a far more friendly atmosphere than when she started her professional career.
However, the 33-year-old Williams has 18 grand slams under her belt and nothing to prove, while Bouchard is still chasing her first major.
“I haven’t been on tour that long, so I wouldn’t be able to compare it,” the Canadian said.
“For me, I see them as competition. I don’t want to become really good friends with any of the girls or tour.
“I’m definitely friendly with most of them, and that’s fine, but I kind of come here, do my job, and leave. I think that’s the best way for me to stay focused and not really have distractions.”
Bouchard revealed last year that she was once close to Britain’s injury plagued Laura Robson but the friendship dissolved as she rose up the rankings and Robson went down.
"A true friend would be happy for a true friend's success, but that's not what happened," Bouchard told the New York Times.
The Montreal-based world No 7, already a superstar in her homeland, she said she was still civil to fellow players but did not become too involved.
"It's fine in the locker room," she told reporters in Melbourne. "I'm sure you imagine Mean Girls or something – it's not like that. It's pretty chill, pretty relaxed.
“We’re all friendly and talking to each other and that’s fine. When it’s match day or game time, for me I’m definitely in my own bubble doing my own thing.”
Bouchard reportedly hates comparisons with Russian superstar Maria Sharapova but the world No 2 remained similarly aloof on tour and has been rewarded with five grand slam titles.
Melbourne's The Age newspaper reported this week that Sharapova even refused to stay at the same hotel as the seven other players at last year's season-ending WTA Finals in Singapore, instead booking herself into separate accommodation away from her peers.
Romanian third seed Simona Halep, meanwhile, limped into the fourth round on Friday, struggling to overcome American world No 258 Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
The 23-year-old, a quarter-finalist at Melbourne Park last year, eventually prevailed 6-4, 7-5 to set up a fourth-round showdown with Belgium’s Yanina Wickmayer.
Victory seemed assured when Halep took the first set and was 5-1 up in the second but the Romanian could not close out the never-say-die American veteran.
“It was a tough match, it was very hot outside,” a relieved Halep said. “She played really well today.
“I played well, but it wasn’t easy to finish the match. I was pleased to finish in two.”
Halep said temperatures approaching 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) made conditions difficult.
Despite her unconvincing performance, she remained full of confidence about her chances at the season-opening grand slam, saying that reaching the French Open final and Wimbledon semi last year had bolstered her self belief.
“I have more confidence now during the grand slams and I believe I have my chance at every tournament,” she said.
On Friday Chinese No 1 Peng Shuai also reached the fourth round, defaeating Yaroslava Shvedova in straight sets after a first-round tie-break.
Sara Errani was knocked out by on-form Wickmayer, and world No 10 Ekaterina Makarova breezed by Karolina Pliskova.
Lucie Hradecka’s underdog run came to an end, after the world No 142 who earlier defeated Ana Ivanovic was beaten by Julia Gorges.
Begu also won in staight sets to arrange her match with Bouchard, with Zarina Diyas and Sharapova set to face off later on Friday.
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