Just 24 hours after crashing out of the 2023 US Open singles draw, Caroline Garcia shared heartbreaking news of her grandmother's passing back home.
The French player penned a letter on X explaining that her grandmother took her last breath on Monday afternoon, putting Garcia in an incredibly tough spot ahead of her opening match on Tuesday. The 29-year-old was hardly in the right frame of mind as she was soundly beaten by Chinese qualifier Yafan Wang 6-4, 6-1.
It was a dismal performance from Garcia right from the off. She served six double faults in the match, faced 10 break points, and was broken on four occasions. Tennis fans were left in bedlam as Garcia's season turned from bad to worse, losing to 114th-ranked Wang.
But the World No. 7 has shed light in the aftermath of one of her poor displays this season. She couldn't speak to the press after the match because emotions were running high and Garcia was only thinking of a one-way flight back home.
"Hi everyone. The last 2 days have been very difficult for our family. My grandmother passed away on Monday afternoon. I couldn't attend to my press conference after my loss, the emotions were too overwhelming.
"My heart needs to be with my relatives to bid my grandmother a last farewell, this is why I have to withdraw from the doubles with Kristina. There is a time for everything in life. Today, tennis is secondary. Thank you for your understanding. Caroline."
Garcia was set to join forces with her compatriot Kristina Mladenovic for their first-round doubles match on Wednesday. But she has decided to withdraw from the competition and will now travel home to find comfort in the presence of her relatives and attend the funeral.
After reaching the US Open semifinals last year, Garcia's meek, early exit this week will most likely eject her out of the world's Top 10 at the end of the tournament as 770 points will be chalked off.
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