“Criticized so much for being too aggressive,” Caroline Garcia opens up on the hurdles of pro tennis after straight-set loss to Naomi Osaka in Qatar

The World No. 21 has now lost three consecutive matches following her first round exit at the Qatar Open in Doha.

“Criticized so much for being too aggressive,” Caroline Garcia opens up on the hurdles of pro tennis after straight-set loss to Naomi Osaka in Qatar

Caroline Garcia and Naomi Osaka (image via IMAGO)

World No. 21 Caroline Garcia‘s drop in form continues to reflect on the Tour. Her latest defeat has come at the WTA-1000 event in Qatar. The Frenchwoman was up against Naomi Osaka in what was their second meeting within a month.

Osaka avenged her 2024 Australian Open defeat by winning this tie 7-5, 6-4. The win earned the former World No. 1 her first Top-30 win in nearly two years. Garcia however remains winless in three matches now after second-round exit in Melbourne Park and first-round defeat in the Abu Dhabi Open.

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Garcia found her form late in the 2022 season which saw her qualify for the 2022 WTA Finals. She then stunned everyone and went on to win the coveted title. With a lot of attention on her, she has since failed to capture another title despite reaching two Tour finals in 2023.

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As she makes another early exit this season, the former World No. 4 opened up on how the narrative around her has changed. She also spoke about how her strategies are questioned when she loses but the same is praised if she can secure a win. She also admitted to currently struggling to manage her nerves. 

Sometimes it’s good to refocus. I can see at 5-4 that I’m losing the game by being a little less intensive, a little less aggressive. It helps to see what’s working and what’s not. But it’s funny to have these questions because I’ve been criticized so much for being too aggressive.
Said Garcia speaking with Tennis Majors. 
When it works, everything’s fine, but when it doesn’t... Inevitably, when 99% of people say that to me, sometimes it has an impact on the way you see things when you start to fail a little. But it’s up to me and us to be clear about what works for me, and not listen to what people say because they don’t actually know you.
Added the French No. 1.

Garcia further added how her inability to control her nerves has become irritating for her. The results are not good enough and it often leads to her forgetting everything she has been doing for the last 15 years.

Caroline Garcia comments on her Olympics ambition with eyes set on both singles and doubles

While Garcia has been unable to win a Grand Slam singles title, many forget her twin wins at the French Open in doubles. Partnering compatriot Kristina Mladenovic, the 30-year-old has won the Roland Garros title in 2016 and then again in 2022.

Caroline Garcia Kristina Mladenovic with the 2022 French Open trophy
Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic with the 2022 French Open trophy (image via IMAGO)

The pair had also reached the doubles finals of the US Open in 2016. But they had to settle for the runners-up trophy. As the 2024 Olympics are set to be played in Paris, the expectations around Garcia and Mladenovic for a medal on home soil are increasing and she rightly addressed it. 

We’re not on the same tournaments in singles, so it’s not easy, and since the start of the season it’s especially Kristina who’s had to make a few concessions in relation to her personal career. In Paris, it’s going to be a very tough draw, so the aim is to get there thinking we’ve done the job and then play to the maximum.
Commented Garcia on the pair’s doubles plans for the Paris Olympics.

With another early exit on the Tour, Garcia will have enough time to prepare for next week’s WTA-1000 event in Dubai. With a 5-5 season record so far, the Frenchwoman would be eager to get some wins under her belt.

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