Caroline Garcia is ready to take on the United Cup challenge in the city where she brought France Billie Jean King Cup glory.
Garcia enters the 2023 season after an outstanding 2022. The 29-year-old played the best tennis of her career in the year's closing months to achieve several outstanding results and performances.
She won the Bad Homburg Open in June and the Poland Open in July. Her title in Poland included a stunning triumph against the world No. 1 and home favorite Iga Swiatek on her favored clay courts.
Garcia continued her strong form during the North American hard court season. At the Cincinnati Open, she secured the third WTA 1000 title of her career before reaching a maiden Grand Slam semifinal at the US Open.
The Frenchwoman qualified for the ATP Finals after those results. Despite facing the adversity of her coach leaving her team a few days before the event began, Garcia won the season-ending tournament, beating Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
After those successes, Garcia has a newfound confidence. The Cincinnati Open champion believes she is ready to win her maiden Grand Slam and has the ability and playing style to do so.
That confidence might have grown further because starts her season in Perth, Australia at the United Cup. Garcia and Team France won the 2019 Billie Jean King Cup in Perth after Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic won the deciding doubles match against hosts Australia.
Ahead of the United Cup, Garcia discussed the format, while her teammate Alize Cornet spoke about the emotions of playing in Perth for the first time since the Billie Jean King Cup triumph.
“I think with the format, every match and every game is important. If you cannot qualify as first one, it would be the second one, and so every match is very important for the team. But also as your personal goal, you want to keep improving, play the best you can when you're on court.”
"Yesterday when we had our first hit on centre court with Caroline, we had a little moment of emotion coming back on this court."