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Eugenie Bouchard Now Involved In Handshake-Gate

Eugenie Bouchard is in the middle of another controversy involving handshakes and good sportsmanship.

Eugenie Bouchard Now Involved In Handshake-Gate
notfirstnoel
By Noel John Alberto

Eugenie Bouchard made waves a couple of days ago during the Fed Cup draw with Romania by refusing to shake Alexandra Dulgheru's hand during their Fed Cup drawing ceremony. After Dulgheru's upset victory over Bouchard in their opening tie, the Romanians had some fun with the controversy (video below).

Genie Bouchard has been familiar with these controversies before during last year's Fed Cup draw ceremony against Slovakia involving Kristina Kucova. She said that the customary greeting was "lame", and also said this about, "I don't understand why I'd wish her good luck." This was a poor act of sportsmanship by the Canadian, but some analysts were agreeing with her in the sense that there should be no reason that the women should be taking pictures together if the Fed Cup was to be taken seriously.

At this years Australian Open after Maria Sharapova defeated her in the quarterfinals, a picture was snapped at the perfect moment during their handshake where Bouchard was not even looking at Sharapova. After this controversy, Bouchard said that Maria Sharapova deserved a better handshake. That statement from Bouchard was right in terms of her growth as a player and a better sportsman, however, it seems like the 21 year-old Canadian has taken a few steps back in those departments. Bouchard needs to get her act together and become a better sportsman if she is going to become the next face of the WTA; it should start with shaking her opponents hands during Fed Cup ceremonies.

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About the author
Noel John Alberto
Filipino-American sports journalist from Toms River, NJ. UMBC Graduate and aspiring physical therapist. Tennis editor and multi-sport coordinator for VAVEL USA. Writer for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Serie A sections of VAVEL UK. Sports aficionado. Host of the On The Line tennis podcast.