Former world number four Caroline Garcia has announced she will retire from professional tennis, marking this weekend’s French Open as her final appearance at Roland Garros.
A decorated player with 11 WTA singles titles and two French Open women’s doubles crowns, Garcia revealed on social media that her time on the court is nearing its end, though a few more tournaments remain before she officially steps away.
“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,” the 31-year-old said.
Over her career, Garcia amassed nearly $19 million in prize money and reached the pinnacle of the WTA season by winning the 2022 World Tour Finals, considered just below the Grand Slams in prestige. That same year, she teamed up with fellow Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic to claim her second French Open doubles trophy.
Her deepest singles run at a major also came in 2022, when she reached the semifinals at the US Open — her best result at a Grand Slam.
Once ranked fourth in the world, Garcia has since slipped to 145th, a reflection of the challenges she’s faced. “This journey has been anything but simple,” she said. “From the very beginning, tennis has been more than a sport — it’s been an emotional ride, full of passion and frustration, joy and struggle.”
“But now it’s time to pivot,” she continued. “My body is asking for rest, and my personal aspirations are calling. That said, the final curtain hasn’t fallen yet. I still have a few matches left in me.”
Her farewell tour begins at Roland Garros when the tournament opens this Sunday.
— AFP
