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Eugenie Bouchard "hopes" to play Fed Cup vs. the Czech Republic in February, but doesn't commit

Eugenie Bouchard of Canada celebrates her win against Jana Cepelova of Slovakia in Quebec City last April. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
Eugenie Bouchard of Canada celebrates her win against Jana Cepelova of Slovakia in Quebec City last April. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

She loves representing her country, but on TVA Sports Friday night, Genie Bouchard wouldn't make a definite commitment about playing for Canada against the Czech Republic in February in Quebec City.

The Canadian has been consistent with this - saying she "hopes" to play Fed Cup but always pointing to the crowded WTA Tour schedule as a reason why she might not. But on French-language television, with Canada's World Group I tie against the reigning champion Czech Republic in February being played in primarily French-language Quebec City, it was an opportunity lost.

Here's a translation of what Bouchard said in French.

"I hope so.

"It’s very difficult with the schedule sometimes,; we have to play our WTA tournaments to get points and all that. But I’ve had very good experiences in the Fed Cup the last few years. and I alwayss adore playing for my country, so I will do everything I can so that I can play in February."

There actually are no WTA tournaments scheduled the week of Fed Cup, but it comes the weekend after the Australian Open final weekend.

This year, Bouchard got to the semifinals in Oz. But there was a week before Fed Cup (more like nearly two weeks, because the actual matches only take place on the Saturday and Sunday). So the 20-year-old Montrealer was able to squeeze in a quick promotional trip to Singapore before returning to a heroine's welcome in Montreal.

Where she paid the price was in playing the big-money Doha event immediately following Fed Cup – followed by an even bigger-money tournament in Dubai. Bouchard had to take a red-eye flight from Montreal to the Middle East on the Sunday night after she and the Canadian squad clinched their victory against Serbia, and it showed on the court. Understandably.

The schedule is different in 2015; Fed Cup follows immediately after the Australian Open, followed immediately by a new event in Antwerp, Belgium that replaces the GDF Suez in France. That is followed by Doha (which is the same week as Acapulco, the tournament Bouchard played this year as a leadup to Indian Wells.

It will probably make sense to take a pass on Antwerp, schedule the week's break after what is always a draining week at "home" both on and off the court, and gear up for the two Middle East tournaments.

Fed Cup is reportedly on Bouchard's 2015 schedule. And it seems, at this point, that she intends to play.

So why not confirm it?

One thing's for sure; with Aleksandra Wozniak, who was a solid No. 2 singles player behind Bouchard as Canada ascended to World Group I in 2014, recovering from shoulder surgery, Canada doesn't have a prayer without its biggest star.

The two next up to face the Czechs, who really are a powerhouse and are led by Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, would be Sharon Fichman and either doubles specialist Gaby Dabrowski or up-and-coming teenager Françoise Abanda.

Even with Bouchard, it will be a tough ask.