Genie Bouchard has said she’s ‘leaving’ social media platform X after receiving a backlash over a post about Jessica Pegula. The American reached her first Grand Slam final at the US Open this month, going down 7-5 7-5 to Aryna Sabalenka.

The 30-year-old, daughter of Buffalo Bills owner and billionaire Terry Pegula, is now up to a career high ranking of third in the world.

Her displays at Flushing Meadows led to widespread praise from fans, who have argued she should be solely identified for her on-court ability and not her family links.

And Bouchard, herself a Slam finalist at Wimbledon in 2014, responded to a post by @backhandology_ which said: “I don’t get why Jessica Pegula gets hated because she is ‘the daughter of’ and comes from a wealthy family. She seems like a down to earth and fun person and worked her ass off to climb in the rankings. Just like EVERY PLAYER.”

The now professional pickleball player replied with “Money can’t buy a US Open final lol.” However, her comment was perceived by many to be a dig at Pegula, with Bouchard clarifying she was actually implying the player got there because of “Talent, hard work, discipline, etc.”

And after one user suggested her post had been misinterpreted, Bouchard ranted: “Literally how? I’m complimenting her, she achieved a Grand Slam final because of hard work, dedication, etc, not because of money. You can’t buy your way through the US Open draw. She’s amazing. Leaving this app.”

Despite the vow, Bouchard is yet to leave X, formerly known as Twitter. She joined the platform back in 2009, and has racked up 1.5million followers, as well as 2.3m on Instagram.

And after failing to live up to the billing following her breakthrough year in 2014, Bouchard herself is well accustomed to scrutiny away from the sport. Just a year after her maiden final at SW19, she was ranked No.1 by SportsPro in their ‘World’s 50 Most Marketable Athletes 2015 list’, ahead of the likes of Neymar and Usain Bolt.

She appeared to walk away from tennis after the 2023 season, during which she helped Canada to a first ever Billie Jean King Cup win. Bouchard has since combined her pickleball commitments with work as a pundit for the Tennis Channel – but last month spoke of her desire to return to the WTA Tour.

After her defeat to Sabalenka, Pegula declared her intention to soon make another Slam final. And she also refuted suggestions she should be proud of her overall performance in New York.

“I’m just annoyed I lost right now,” she said. “Everyone is like, ‘Congrats, amazing tournament.’ I’m like, ‘Eh, whatever.’ I think maybe once I decompress a little bit, I’m sure I will be a little bit more appreciative and see all of that. At some point.”