Former WTA World No. 4 player, Caroline Garcia, announced her retirement from professional tennis.
Garcia has been one of the more successful French players in the 21st century. She excelled on the doubles court, but also enjoyed plenty of success in singles. The Frenchwoman reached the World No. 4 rank, and she also managed to win the WTA Finals in 2022.
The 31-year-old has won 11 career titles in singles, and she has also reached the semi-finals at the US Open and the quarter-finals at the French Open. On the doubles court, Garcia reached the World No. 2 rank and lifted two major trophies.
Both of her Grand Slam triumphs came at the French Open, with Garcia winning at Roland Garros in 2016 and 2022. On both occasions, she teamed up with compatriot Kristina Mladenovic.
But in recent months, Garcia has struggled to play at the same level as she did before. After finishing 10 of the last 11 seasons in the Top 50, she fell out of the Top 100 this year and could fall even further in the upcoming weeks.
It was clear that the two-time French Open doubles finalist has struggled to replicate the same level that brought her to the World No. 4 rank, and her fall down the rankings also likely contributed to Garcia's decision to retire at the upcoming French Open.
For French players, the clay-court Grand Slam at Roland Garros is always special, but it will be even more special for Garcia this year, as it will mark the last time she will step onto the tennis court as a professional. She announced her retirement via a post on social media.
"Dear tennis, it’s time to say goodbye. After 15 years competing at the highest level, and more than 25 years putting pretty much every second of my life into it, I feel ready to start a new chapter."
"My tennis journey hasn’t always been easy. Since my early days, tennis has been much more than just winning or losing. It’s been love or hate. Happiness or anger. Still, I’m deeply grateful for this journey—for everything tennis has given me, and for how much it’s helped me become a strong, passionate, hard-working woman."
"But now, it’s time for something else. My body and my personal goals need it. Still, this is not over—not just yet. I have a few tournaments left. The first one is at home, at Roland Garros. My 14th consecutive time being part of it. And my last."
"So to all my tennis family who’ll be around: let’s meet one more time, to dream, and fight together. In the coming days, there will be more time to share what’s next for me. But for now, I just want to focus on living these last weeks as a tennis pro to the fullest. Thank you so much for your support. See you soon on court."
Garcia will take on Bernarda Pera in the first round of this year's French Open. Should she succeed, the French player could then play against the 18th-seeded Donna Vekic in the second round.
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