Genie Bouchard poses in a swimsuit for Sports Illustrated. (©Emmanuelle Hauguel)
When a stranger asked Genie Bouchard on a date via Twitter, she said “sure.”
The date came right around when the 23-year-old tennis pro posed for some racy Sports Illustrated swimsuit pics. We spoke to Bouchard about posing for SI and her bold decision to go on a date with 20-year-old Missouri-based college student John Goehrke.
KATE UPTON LANDS SI COVER FOR THE THIRD TIME
Fox News: You’re featured in this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. What was going through your mind when you saw your photos for the first time?
Bouchard: SI is super secretive with this issue so I didn’t see anything until the issue actually came out on Wednesday. I didn’t sleep well on Tuesday night and woke up the next day at 6 a.m. and googled Sports Illustrated to see my pictures. My first reaction was just being shy because it was my first time I did a shoot like this. It was also the first time I did a shoot topless. But I’ve gotten used it by so it’s all good!
I did it in Turks and Caicos back in September…I did it between tournaments so I flew there and went back. We shot super early in the morning because they like that sun in the morning. I woke up at 5 a.m. and when I got to the fitting to put on the bikini, the stylist said, ‘No, take your top off. The first shot is going to be topless.’ At 7 a.m. I didn’t have a top on for the first shot. I just kept thinking, ‘What did I get myself into?!’ But, by the end of the day I didn’t care anymore. I was changing in front of people. They’ve seen it all!
Fox News: You recently went on a date with someone who asked you out on Twitter. What initially compelled you to say ‘yes’ to this guy?
Genie Bouchard: I was watching the Super Bowl like everyone else in the country. The Falcons were up by so much and I was bored, scrolling through Twitter and checking out my notifications. I saw this guy tweeted at me, ‘If Patriots win we go on a date?’ I was just so certain this wouldn’t come back to me because the Patriots were losing by so many points. I tweeted ‘Sure’ just because I thought there was no way I would have to follow through on this bet.
Fox News: Why did you go along with it?
Bouchard: I like to be true to my word. I’m not a fake person. And I don’t know, the timing was just unbelievable when I agreed to it. For the Patriots to have this monstrous comeback, you know, the best comeback in Super Bowl history, I just thought it was so crazy that it actually happened. And I wanted to do it. A bet is a bet. I was so certain that I would win the bet, so when I lost, I just said, ‘I have to honor my word.’ I had to.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Fox News: How soon did the date happened?
Bouchard: It was about a week and a half later. At first I thought I would maybe bring him out to a tournament or something, but then I had the idea of doing the date at a basketball game. I had a couple of days off in New York City from tennis to promote Sports Illustrated, so I thought why not sooner than later? We attended the Brooklyn Nets game. I think most people expected it to happen later on, but I was like, ‘I’m ready to do this date. Get your butt over here to New York.’
Fox News: Was there a bodyguard involved?
Bouchard: Well, because we were having the date at a basketball game, I thought it was a good idea just because of the awkwardness of it all. This was a blind date really, which I’ve never done in my life. And there were also 15,000 people around us, so he couldn’t pull a fast one on me. But before he even flew out, I had my bodyguard and agent do a background check on him. They were also there at the date lurking around, keeping an eye on things.
Fox News: How did the date go?
Bouchard: It was great! He’s a sports fan, which was fun for me. And really wasn’t too phased by the media attention. I mean, we were sitting courtside and cameras were following us everywhere. I’m sure that’s not his normal life at college, so I was very impressed with him. Maybe he was trying to play it cool, but he didn’t appear to be nervous. He came to pick me up at the lobby of my hotel and he brought me Tiffany earrings, which was very nice of him. It was fun, like a little adventure of a build-up leading to this date.
Fox News: Is there going to be a second date?
Bouchard: I am open to it! We exchanged numbers and kept in touch a little bit since then. Obviously, my schedule is crazy and he’s at school, so I wouldn’t want to distract him. He’s not missing school because of me. I wouldn’t allow that. If we ever cross paths again then for sure, I’ll hang out with him again.
ALY RAISMAN, SIMONE BILES STRIP DOWN FOR SI
Fox News: Will you accept more dates from social media in the future?
Bouchard: I thought about it and … I think I’m open to it. I really enjoyed [the date]. I don’t know, maybe I’ll make it a yearly thing. Like every Super Bowl, whoever picks the winner gets to go on a date with me! Look, it’s a very good chance.
Trending
Who's making headlines in television, music, movies and more from Hollywood to the Heartland.