Caroline Garcia Ends Season Early for Health Reasons

Caroline Garcia, the former world No. 4 tennis player from France, has announced her decision to end the 2024 season early due to struggles with anxiety, panic attacks, and physical injuries, notably to her shoulder. After failing to advance past the second round in all Grand Slam tournaments this year, she expressed a need for a mental and physical reset, stating, "I’m exhausted from the anxiety, the panic attacks, the tears before matches." Garcia reflected on her toxic mindset, feeling overwhelmed by the pressure of performance and the constant grind of professional tennis, which has overshadowed her joy in the sport. Despite her achievements, including winning the WTA Finals in 2022, she admitted to fixating on unfulfilled goals and inconsistencies in her performance. Garcia plans to take time off to reconnect with family and recharge before preparing for the 2025 season, emphasizing the importance of mental health in sports. This situation echoes a broader conversation around mental health in athletics, reminiscent of Naomi Osaka's withdrawal from the 2021 French Open due to similar struggles.