Former world number four Caroline Garcia has announced that she will retire from tennis, with this year’s French Open marking her final appearance at Roland Garros.
The 31-year-old, an 11-time WTA title winner and former French Open women’s doubles champion, revealed on social media that she has “a few tournaments left” before calling time on her career.
“Dear tennis, it’s time to say goodbye,” she wrote. “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.”
Garcia has earned nearly $19 million in prize money and won the season-ending 2022 WTA Finals, one of the sport’s most prestigious titles outside the Grand Slams. That same year, she claimed her second French Open doubles title alongside compatriot Kristina Mladenovic.
Her best singles run at a Grand Slam came at the 2022 US Open, where she reached the semifinals. A former world number four, she is currently ranked 145th.
“My tennis journey hasn’t always been easy. Since my early days, tennis has been much more than just winning or losing. It’s been love or hate. Happiness or anger,” she wrote. “But now it’s time for something else. My body and my personal goals need it.
“Still, this is not over — not just yet. I have a few tournaments left” — starting with Roland Garros when the tournament kicks off on Sunday.
(With inputs from AFP)
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com