By Caroline Garcia
Guadalajara marked the end of my 2024 season. It wasn’t an easy decision, because in tennis, every week off feels like falling behind—losing ranking points and “missing” opportunities. But I know this is the right call to come back stronger in 2025 and fight for those big moments again.
Physically, I’ve been pushing my shoulder to its limit, trying to recover while competing, and it’s just not working. I need more time off to heal properly.
Mentally, I need a reset. I need to step away from the constant grind of tennis, take a real holiday, reconnect with my family and loved ones, and allow myself to breathe without the pressure of performance.
This year, my mindset was toxic. I lost touch with the joy of being a tennis player and became obsessed with rankings and wins. My results didn’t match the goals I set or the expectations I had. The work, the sacrifices, the pain—it all felt the same as before, but the results weren’t there, and I couldn’t compete at the level I know I’m capable of. That’s been really hard to accept.
I’m 30 now, and I’ve had an incredible career—winning 1000-level titles, the WTA Finals, doubles Slams, reaching No. 4 in the world. But in my mind, I’ve been stuck on what I haven’t achieved. I never made it to No. 1, never won a Slam, never reached an Olympic podium. I’ve been inconsistent, unable to stay in the top 10 for a full year.
Do I believe I can still achieve those things? Some days, yes. Other days, I’m not so sure. I’m not certain I can keep pushing in the same way I have before.
I’m exhausted from the anxiety, the panic attacks, the tears before matches. Tired of missing out on family moments and never having a place to truly call home. I’m 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’ve let tennis consume me, ride the emotional highs and lows of every result. But I’m more than that. I’m a woman with values, talents, passions, flaws, and strengths. I’m not perfect, but I’m doing my best.
I wish it were easy to change, to grow, to embrace a new mindset. I wish I could just go out there, play freely, smile, and hit my best shots when it counts. But like my friend Alize Cornet says, real change takes time. You can’t undo years of conditioning overnight.
Lately, I’ve felt overwhelmed on tour—the pressure to perform, the eyes watching your every move. I’ve been struggling with anxiety, closing myself off, feeling trapped on court. Winning doesn’t feel fulfilling anymore; it just brings relief that it’s over.
Yet despite it all, I love tennis. It’s brought me so much—lessons, experiences, amazing people (like my fiancé), and unforgettable emotions. Tennis made me who I am.
So, I’m choosing to step away for now. I’m taking a few weeks off to recharge, then I’ll start preparing for 2025 early—getting ready physically, mentally, and tactically.
When I eventually leave tennis behind, I want to look back and say I enjoyed the journey, I’m proud of myself, and I gave it my all. And in the end, I won some pretty cool things along the way.
Thank you all for your support. See you in Australia 🐨🇦🇺
Caro
