31-year-old French tennis star Caroline Garcia has an impressive tennis resume. She turned pro in 2011 and has amassed 11 WTA singles and 9 doubles titles, including two Grand Slam doubles championships on her home turf at the 2016 and 2022 French Open. Garcia has 467 career wins, is the 2022 WTA Finals women's singles champion, and achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 4 in 2018.
Through the years, Garcia has presented herself as enjoying the game, but only recently has she shared the inner doubts and insecurities that have plagued her and robbed her of her joy in competing.
Garcia even stepped away from the sport early last year to focus on fixing her mental health. She is not the first player to candidly address her mental health; Naomi Osaka and Amanda Anisimova have also been forthright. Garcia has called social media "fans" to task for posting negative comments, so it is especially troubling that more negative social media has followed Garcia, who showed her vulnerable side with a recent post.
What Caroline Garcia said
Garcia summarized her last three months back on the WTA Tour. Her results are not what she wants them to be yet. However, she believes in herself and her game and takes immense pride in the mindset change she embraced.
She described the last couple of years as "hell" and honestly thought when she left the WTA Tour in September, that could be the end of her career.
Garcia is proud of finding her joy again and revels in sharing conversations with fellow players and building relationships that truly matter. She extends an encouraging concluding message to anyone going through tough times to hold on, reach out, and speak out.
The Worst Response
It is worth noting that there were some encouraging responses to Garcia's heartfelt post, but one in particular stood out as the worst. Eustace wrote: "In other words, Tennis is now a part time job for you." This is followed by: "Let me know if to avoid her in my parlays pls."
In other words: Tennis is now a part time job for you
— Eustace (@eustace_on7) March 13, 2025
Eustace responded to the backlash by saying it was not a "hate tweet." However, it underscores the negativity of tennis players on social media, and some of it is related to gambling.
Garcia is not alone in getting negative feedback; players have also been threatened. Linda Noskova courageously shared the social media death threat she received after losing at Indian Wells.
The Good News
The silver lining, if there is one, is that players are not staying silent any longer. They are human beings and deserve to be treated with respect and kindness.
Garcia is using her voice and platform on her Tennis Insider Club podcast. Her guests and the takeaway messages from the 22 episodes have been positive and uplifting.