"I started it!" - Eugenie Bouchard takes credit for kickstarting trend after Kim Kardashian and North West hand out free Joe's Pizza in New York

Eugenie Bouchard recently took notice of Kim Kardashian and North West distributing free pizzas outside a Trader Joe's location in New York City. The Canadian claimed that she had started the trend back in 2021, when she had organized an inpromptu meet-and-greet with fans at New York's Joe's Pizza.

On a night of July 2021, Bouchard, the World No. 118 at the time, found herself craving pizza in the Big Apple. She asked her followers for their suggestions, and the overwhelming majority gave its vote to Joe's Pizza. Bouchard not only took their advice, but also invited them for free pizzas, which made for a heartwarming interaction between the Canadian and her fans who accepted the invitation.

The former World No. 5 later posted about the meet-and-greet on Instagram, writing:

"I can't believe you all showed up! I love when social media brings people together! Pizza parties forever"

Bouchard repeated the act in 2022, and again, she shared a post on Instagram to celebrate the moment, with the caption:

"The 2nd Annual Genie’s Pizza Party was a success! Thank you everyone for coming out, and to Joe’s Pizza for hosting us. Should we do these more often?!"

Recently, Kim Kardashian and her daughter North West did something similar. Cameras spotted the pair handing out free Joe's Pizza to people outside a Trader Joe's location in New York. Bouchard, reminded of her 2021 and 2022 Joe's Pizza meet-and-greets, took credit for kickstarting the trend on Instagram.

"Ok I started this!!!" Bouchard wrote on her Instagram story.

Eugenie Bouchard taking credit for starting trend after Kim Kardashian and North West's free pizza distribution was caught on camera

Bouchard revisiting 2021 meet-and greet with fans at Joe's Pizza

Bouchard revisiting 2022 meet-and-greet with fans at Joe's Pizza

Eugenie Bouchard made it to the Joe's Pizza Wall of Fame last year

In 2023, Bouchard visited Miami on the back of her disappointing Wimbledon Championships campaign. During her trip, she got to know that she had made it to the Joe's Pizza Wall of Fame, which features pictures of famous personalities who have relished the pizzas on offer at Joe's Pizza. Interestingly, Bouchard's photo was positioned between Selena Gomez and Leonardo DiCaprio.

"On the wall of fame at @joespizzanyc Miami," Bouchard wrote on her Instagram Story to celebrate the feat.

Bouchard, who has transitioned to pickleball from tennis without formally announcing her retirement from the latter, is currently working as an analyst for Tennis Channel.

About the author

Sudipto is a Tennis journalist at Sportskeeda holding a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. He has an experience of 3+ years across the market research, travel, health, lifestyle and sports sectors.

Sudipto has followed Tennis since the early 2000s and stays up-to-date with the sport by following both active and former Tennis players, and seasoned journalists. He also follows ATP and WTA updates, watches documentaries and interviews of professionals, and only reads esteemed publications. He sources all information for his articles only from credible publications stays away from unsubstantiated claims. In just a matter of 3 months, he has gained a readership of almost 2 million at Sportskeeda!

Sudipto admires Rafael Nadal for his fiercely competitive on-court nature and his ability to make memorable comebacks after injury layoffs. The Spaniard may be the GOAT for him, but he also respects the accomplishments of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

Beyond Tennis, Sudipto also has an interest in music, football, and video games alongside cooking and traveling.

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Edited by Neelabhra Roy