WTA superstar Caroline Garcia has candidly shared the challenges she faced both physically and mentally, leading to an early wrap of her last season. The Spanish tennis maven had been grappling with exhaustion and mental health issues, including anxiety, which significantly impacted her performance on the court in 2024. Despite making a comeback this year, the journey has been anything but smooth for Garcia, who has been pushing her physical boundaries, particularly her shoulder, in an effort to balance recovery and competition.
Recently, after her early exit from the Round of 64 at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells against Poland’s top player, Iga Swiatek, Garcia decided to take a different approach. The 31-year-old tennis icon took a breather, opting for an enjoyable evening with her fellow competitors, something previously deemed unsustainable in the fiercely competitive world of tennis.
The evening, which was spent in the company of other tennis stars like Elena Rybakina, Maria Sakkari, and Jasmine Paolini, was shared by Garcia on social media. She expressed her deep appreciation for the unforgettable camaraderie, referring to such experiences as a “reward” in itself. Intriguingly, the discussions from this night are set to be broadcast on ‘Tennis Insider’.
Garcia took to her social media to share her thoughts on the night, revealing the long-held belief that made her journey in tennis a challenging one. “My tennis career hasn’t been an easy one,” she wrote, “I was taught that I couldn’t be friends with other girls, or have much fun off the court.” This mentality led to a spiral of darkness affecting her health. However, the recent experience of enjoying time off-court in the company of her fellow players has been a rejuvenating experience for her, a feeling she admits she can hardly describe.
Garcia, who clinched the 2022 WTA Finals and made it to the semi-finals of the US Open the same year, was unable to complete the 2024 season due to physical fitness issues. She expressed the need for a reset, especially after failing to surpass the second round in all four Grand Slams.
Her decision to end the season early for a much-needed break turned out to be beneficial. This period of rest enabled Garcia to reflect and appreciate elements beyond the sport. Her break from the tour this season was an eye-opener. Despite a challenging start, including an opening round loss to Naomi Osaka at the Australian Open, Garcia is determined to break free from her toxic bond with the sport.
In a conversation with ‘The National’, Garcia shared her insights during her break from the sport. Taking a break allowed her time to introspect and understand her position and future in her career. The past two years had seen her relationship with the sport turn toxic and negative, draining her desire to practice or compete. However, she now feels a renewed sense of joy in practicing, accepting good and bad days as part of the journey. She emphasizes the importance of moving on from a bad practice day and making the most out of the rest of her day.
As of now, the former World No. 4 is eager for the Miami Open’s opening round, where she is set to face Anna Bondar on Wednesday, March 19. With her newfound perspective on her career and life off-court, fans and fellow players alike will be keen to see how Garcia navigates the future of her tennis journey.