Eugenie reveals how she deals with haters after being criticised for topless photo

The Sports Illustrated pictures that Canadian tennis star Genie Bouchard posted on Instagram

Canadian World No 44 tennis star Eugenie Bouchard has said that she fails to understand why her off-court activities are always blamed for her on-court performance after she was recently criticised for appearing in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition.

The 22-year-old, who posed topless for the photoshoot, said that she has learnt to deal with critics. Bouchard, appeared alongside fellow tennis stars Caroline Wozniacki and Serena Williams in this year's edition of the international magazine that was released in last week.

"I've gotten that, over the last couple of years, I've done a photo shoot anywhere and it's like 'oh God, get back on the tennis court... what are you doing, go practise.' You have to deal with that hate and not take it personally. It's been a couple of years now," she was quoted as saying by CBS Sports.

"There's nothing wrong if you have success and it opens doors for other activities, like being in Sports Illustrated. Why not? I would be crazy not to take advantage of that. Why limit yourself? I'm still a tennis player - that is my number one priority - but if I do have a bit of time, here and there, to do other things, why not?," she questioned.