Eugenie Bouchard, the Canadian tennis star and 2014 Wimbledon finalist, found herself at the center of a viral romance after accepting a Twitter bet during Super Bowl LI in February 2017. John Goehrke, a marketing student, challenged Bouchard to a date if the New England Patriots overcame a 28-3 deficit against the Atlanta Falcons. Bouchard, confident in the Falcons' lead, agreed, only for Tom Brady to orchestrate the largest comeback in Super Bowl history, securing a 34-28 victory for the Patriots.
The Viral Bet and First Date
Bouchard recalled that she did not typically read her Twitter replies but noticed Goehrke's message: "Bet: If Patriots win, we go on a date?" She replied "Sure," thinking the Falcons' lead was insurmountable. However, the Patriots' historic comeback made the bet a reality, and Bouchard's tweet went viral. Goehrke, initially in shock, texted his friends immediately. Bouchard researched Goehrke, noting his profile picture was Tiger Woods, which she found suspicious. After confirming he was a marketing student, she agreed to the date.
The Date and Aftermath
The couple attended a Brooklyn Nets game, where Bouchard found Goehrke to be a "good-looking guy." They shared subsequent dates, including a beach outing and a visit to Bouchard's home. Despite the media frenzy, their romance never blossomed into a serious relationship. Goehrke later had a girlfriend, and Bouchard noted that his girlfriends often felt threatened by their past. She said, "All his girlfriends literally hate me... Every girl that he ever hangs out with is like, 'Why would you want to hang out with me when you hung out with Genie?' I'm ruining his dating life."
Planned Disney Movie
The story gained such attention that a Disney movie was reportedly in the works, though no release date has been confirmed. Bouchard reflected on the downsides, including jealousy from partners. She said, "People see articles and you get jealous and you wonder, 'Oh my god, is that real? Is it not? Is it still thing? Is it not?'" She added, "We were problematic for each other."
Bouchard's Return to Wimbledon
Now 30, Bouchard has transitioned into modeling and broadcasting. She appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated and has two million Instagram followers. In 2024, she returned to Wimbledon as part of the BBC's commentary team, where fans dubbed her the "Queen of Wimbledon." One fan wrote, "Oh my Gosh, really stunning, perfect," while another said, "Queen of Wimbledon." Bouchard previously stepped away from tennis, citing chaos in her career and life.
