Caroline Garcia takes break from tennis after unsatisfactory results and toxic state of mind
Caroline Garcia has been in a poor run of form and couldn't progress past the second round in any of the four Grand Slam events in 2024.
Caroline Garcia (image via WTA)
French No.1 Caroline Garcia has ended her 2024 tennis season after a disappointing stretch of results. The 30-year-old has won only five of her last 12 matches on the WTA tour, including early exits at Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open.
Garcia made a major announcement on X, where she confirmed her decision to conclude the 2024 season. Congested scheduling is one of the main reasons she cited for this choice.
This year, my state of mind has been toxic. I lost the joy of being a tennis player and became obsessed with rankings and victories. My results have not lived up to the goals I set for myself or the expectations I had (…) I am exhausted from anxiety, panic attacks, and tears before matches. Tired of missing family moments and never having a place I can truly call home.
Caroline Garcia posted on X
Garcia has also struggled mentally after her losses. Following her early exit at the US Open against Renata Zarazua, she faced online abuse from fans. She shared screenshots of these abusive messages on her X account, gaining support from many WTA and ATP players.
I am 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 let tennis consume me, enduring the emotional highs and lows of every outcome…I wish I could simply walk onto the court, play freely, smile, and hit my best shots under pressure.
Caroline Garcia added
The debate over scheduling in tennis continues to be a hot topic. Four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz claimed that the tennis tour could “kill us in some way” due to its hectic schedule during the Laver Cup. Meanwhile, World No.1 Jannik Sinner believes players should take control and decide which tournaments to play.
Roger Federer’s ex-coach issues statement of support for Caroline Garcia after her announcement
Paul Annacone, Roger Federer‘s former coach, has expressed support for Caroline Garcia as she deals with physical and mental struggles. Annacone, who also coached Pete Sampras, referred to the tennis tour as a “circus” during an interview with the Tennis Channel.
We have heard Carlitos (Alcaraz) talk about how the schedule is killing the players and I love Jannik Sinner’s take on this as says: ‘yes the schedule is complicated, but don’t play’. There are some financial implications, could be some ranking implications, but the schedule doesn’t work. It doesn’t take a genius to figure it out. It’s just getting more and more congested.
Paul Annacone said on Tennis Channel
Many tennis players are now calling for changes to the tournament schedule. Garcia is the latest player to announce a break from the sport due to the demanding schedule. This issue has been widely discussed in both the WTA and ATP tours.
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek has strongly advocated longer breaks, especially in Olympic years. The hectic schedule this year, with players switching surfaces quickly, affected many at the US Open. Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner, who ironically didn’t feature in the Paris Olympics, went on to win the US Open.
Several players, including Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Casper Ruud, and Stefanos Tsitsipas, recently lost in early rounds in Asia after a quick transition from the Laver Cup. The quick turnaround left them struggling to adjust. Britain’s Jack Draper called the schedule “mental” after moving straight from the US Open to Manchester to play in the Davis Cup for Great Britain. Many players are feeling the impact of the tight schedule.
Fahad Hamid
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