Behind the coronation of a player, there is often a turbulent history. Caroline Garcia does not budge to the rule. Titled at the WTA Masters, semi-finalist at the US Open, three other titles in tournaments, the season of the new world number 4 has something to be beautiful, but it also hides very different truths that the Lyonnaise did not hesitate to assume in a message published on social networks: “Dear year 2022, you made me go through all the states, all the emotions. I cried with pain, sadness and joy in 11 months. »
The 29-year-old then goes behind the scenes of an ultimately very complicated season: “I had sleepless nights, bulimia attacks. I cried in my hotel room, I cried on tennis courts. To fully understand his words, we must go back. At the beginning of January, Caroline Garcia is 74th in the world. After being eliminated in the first round of the Australian Open, she gave up in Miami and was sidelined for several weeks. A complicated period for the Lyonnaise: “I suffered physically and mentally. (…) I was on crutches. I swore. I learned to walk again. I struggled to put on my shoes. (…) I questioned the universe, told myself that maybe my luck had passed, and that I would never succeed again. »
Pizza and bottles of champagne
However, it is surely a blessing in disguise according to Caroline Garcia: “My foot injury made me realize how much I wanted to come back to the courts and above all play my real game. (…) This injury made me allowed to play more liberated. “What largely change his state of mind on the court. “I loved going to the net, making winners, dropping drop volleys, slamming aces, making stolen returns,” she admits.
Jostled by extra-sporting controversies with the surprise departure of her coach, and the incessant questions about the role of her father, the world number 4 has relearned to take advantage of those close to her. “I invited friends to the tournament, realized that this sharing was so important to me. I got to know myself better, ”reveals a transformed Caroline Garcia. Enjoying her loved ones but also life, the Lyonnaise evokes desires for “pizza”, “bottles of champagne”, “flats white and golden latte” tasted “throughout the world”.
Assessment of this season: “in the end, I liked it”, recognizes the French number 1. Garcia also assumes that she can “further improve” her game. Enough to fuel ambitions for next year. First big meeting of the WTA calendar, the Australian Open from mid-January.