Caroline Garcia, the former world No. 4, has announced her decision to sit out the remainder of the 2024 season to prioritize her mental health. In a lengthy message posted on social media, Garcia revealed that she has been struggling with a "toxic mindset" that has hindered her results and led to prolonged struggles with anxiety and panic attacks.
Despite ending 2022 back at her career-high ranking thanks to a winning week at the WTA Finals, Garcia has struggled through the subsequent 24 months, falling outside the Top 20 and compiling a disappointing 17-16 record in 2024.
"My results didn't match the goals I set or the expectations I had," Garcia wrote. "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."
Garcia also revealed that she has been dealing with a lingering shoulder injury, which has further contributed to her struggles.
"For too long, I've let tennis consume me, ride the emotional highs and lows of every result," Garcia continued. "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."
Garcia's decision to sit out the remainder of the season was supported by her fiancé and podcast co-host, Borja Duran. She plans to return to action in January, in time for the Australian summer hard-court swing.
"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," Garcia wrote. "And in the end, I won some pretty cool things along the way."
Tags: #CarolineGarcia, #MentalHealth, #Tennis, #WTA, #Anxiety
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