“Exhausted from the anxiety, panic attacks, the tears” – Garcia ends 2024 season

Caroline Garcia, the world No 36, has officially ended her 2024 season. She last competed in the Guadalajara Open in Mexico, making it to the semi-finals.

“Guadalajara marked the end of my 2024 season,” Garcia announced on social media. “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 again.”

The Frenchwoman, seeded fourth, defeated Ena Shibahara and received a walkover against Marie Bouzkova in the quarter-finals. Her campaign ended with a loss to eventual champion Magdalena Frech in the final four.

Garcia began the season ranked 20th in the WTA tally but has now slipped out of Top 30.

Mentally, I need a reset.”

Caroline Garcia

“I need to step away from the constant grind of tennis, take a real holiday, reconnect with my family and loved ones, and allow myself to breathe without the pressure of performance.”

The 30-year-old’s title count for the season stands at zero. Also, she didn’t make it past the second round of any Grand Slam tournament this calendar year, losing to Magdalena Frech in Melbourne, Sofia Kenin in Paris, Bernarda Pera in London, and Renata Zarazua (first round) in New York.

“This year, my mindset was toxic. I lost touch with the joy of being a tennis player and became obsessed with rankings and wins. My results didn’t match the goals I set or the expectations I had. The work, the sacrifices, the pain — it all felt the same as before, but the results weren’t there, and I couldn’t compete at the level I know I’m capable of.”

Following her US Open exit, Garcia ended her three-year-long association with her coach Bertrand Perret.

Garcia took up tennis professionally in 2011 and reached a career-high ranking of world No 4. Over the years, she has collected 11 tour-level titles, including three at WTA 1000 events and at Year-end Championship (2022).

“I’m exhausted from the anxiety, the panic attacks, the tears before matches. Tired of missing out on family moments and never having a place to truly call home. I’m tired of living in a world where my worth is measured by last week’s results, my ranking, or my unforced errors. For too long, I’ve let tennis consume me, ride the emotional highs and lows of every result. But I’m more than that.”

Caroline Garcia: “See you in Australia”

Caroline Garcia vowed to prepare well for the next season for her love for the racquet sport.

“Yet despite it all, I love tennis. It’s brought me so much—lessons, experiences, amazing people (like my fiancé), and unforgettable emotions,” Garcia added. “Tennis made me who I am. So, I’m choosing to step away for now. I’m taking a few weeks off to recharge, then I’ll start preparing for 2025 early — getting ready physically, mentally, and tactically.”

The world No 36 suggested she would be back in action for the Australian summer:

“When I eventually leave tennis behind, I want to look back and say I enjoyed the journey, I’m proud of myself, and I gave it my all. And in the end, I won some pretty cool things along the way. Thank you all for your support. See you in Australia.”

Amid disappointing results, Garcia produced a couple of decent results on the singles circuit, including reaching the quarters at Miami Open and semis at Rouen Open.

She enjoyed better results in doubles, ending second best, alongside fellow Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic, to the pair of Beatriz Haddad Maia and Taylor Townsend in Adelaide to open the season. Days later, Garcia and Mladenovic made it to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.

The two then registered another run to the last eight at the Dubai Tennis Championships, followed by a Round-of-16 showing at Wimbledon.

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