Caroline Garcia has been ranked as high as World No.4, having first reached this peak back in 2018 and matched it more recently after a strong 2022 campaign.
Garcia is an 11-time title winner on the WTA Tour, highlighted by her victories in Beijing and Wuhan (2018), and most recently the Cincinnati Open and the WTA Finals (2022).
The Frenchwoman has also enjoyed success on the doubles court, having won two Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros with compatriot Kristina Mladenovic and reached a highest ranking of World No.2 back in 2016.
However, success has been harder to come by in 2024, with Garcia winning only 50% of her 34 singles matches and slipping down to World No.48.
This led to the 31-year-old calling an abrupt end to her season in an emotional statement on social media.
Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty ImagesCaroline Garcia explains that she could retire from tennis in 2025
Garcia released a statement on social media after the Guadalajara Open, revealing the mental toll that being on the WTA Tour was having on her.
This included panic attacks before matches, with Garcia suggesting that she was succumbing to the expectation of her previous success.
Guadalajara marked the end of my 2024 season. It wasn’t an easy decision, because in tennis, every week off feels like falling behind—losing ranking points and “missing” opportunities. But I know this is the right call to come back stronger in 2025 and fight for those big moments… pic.twitter.com/UISnUQnuWf
— Caroline Garcia (@CaroGarcia) September 27, 2024
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Almost three months on from that social media post, Garcia has spoken about her current wellbeing in an interview with L’Equipe.
“At the end of every match, win or loss, I was just relieved,” said Garcia. “I didn’t know why I was playing anymore. I hated the person I was becoming. It was draining me. I even started to lose sight of who I am. It was unsustainable to continue this way.
“If in 2025 I find myself in a toxic environment again, if I see myself losing sleep and suffering from anxiety attacks again, then it will mean it’s the end. The reality is that I don’t see myself playing for another five years.”
Having had time away from the relentless tour schedule, Garcia appears to have found a different perspective on life and has been playing more recreational tennis with her fiancé, Borja Duran.
“I want to discover the circuit in a different way,” continued the Lyonnaise. “To be myself, happy, proud of my efforts and not depressed after a defeat.
“I also rediscovered leisure tennis by playing with my partner Borja. Concentrating on the game, rather than the competition, helped me understand why I loved tennis. I also signed up via the WTA for a four- or five-month crossover with Harvard University (USA).
“You have cases to study, like LeBron James and his marketing agency or Roger Federer and the Laver Cup, you can attend online courses… I’d never taken the time to open myself up to other things, to get out of my comfort zone.”
Where will Caroline Garcia begin her 2025 season?
Despite her recent hiatus from the WTA Tour, Garcia has shown intent to return in 2025 after appearing on the Australian Open entry list.
However, she has not entered any of the warm-up events in Brisbane, Auckland, Adelaide, Hobart or the United Cup.
Garcia has also publicised some of her pre-season work, after posting a picture in Dubai with 2002 Roland Garros champion Albert Costa to X (formerly Twitter).
First month of pre-season ✅
Thank you to Albert Costa for your incredible help these weeks, looking forward to learning more things from you in the future! And also special thanks to all the TEC family for helping me to get ready. What an amazing place for young kids to develop… pic.twitter.com/E1gkf8SH1c
— Caroline Garcia (@CaroGarcia) December 5, 2024
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“First month of pre-season [tick emoji],” said Garcia. “Thank you to Albert Costa for your incredible help these weeks, looking forward to learning more things from you in the future! And also special thanks to all the TEC family for helping me to get ready.”
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