Caroline Garcia has ended her ‘toxic’ season early after revealing she has struggled with her mental health in 2024.
Garcia ends the 2024 season having won 17 of her 34 matches this year with the Frenchwoman’s last tournament of the year being her semi-final exit to Magdalena Frech in Guadalajara.
The highs have been very limited for Garcia although her quarter-final appearance in Miami was the best result of the season, losing to eventual champion Danielle Collins.
However there have been some tough lows for Garcia with the Frenchwoman suffering early exits in Paris at both Roland Garros and the Olympics.
Adding to on-court struggles, Garcia has also suffered off-court struggles as well having suffered with mental health problems and speaking on the abuse that she suffers online.
Announcing the end of her season on Twitter (X), Garcia described the season as ‘toxic’ and needed a break ahead of the Australian Open, “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,” Garcia stated in the long statement on social media.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
Some of these issues that Garcia explained in her statement have been shared by the likes of Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula and Danielle Collins.
It’s a growing concern for all tennis players as mental health continues to be put last in terms of player welfare with a number of players pushing for change.
As for Garcia, she will be hoping the mental reset will benefit her when she competes at the Australian Open which starts on the 12th of January.
