From Cincinnati champion to new mother: Caroline Garcia delivers emotional message four years later
WTAMonday, 24 August 2026 at 06:30
Caroline Garcia has offered an emotional reflection on her career and life after tennis, four years after producing one of the most memorable runs of her career at the Cincinnati Open. The former world No. 4 watched this year's tournament from home, but under completely different circumstances, having recently retired from professional tennis and welcomed her first child just two weeks ago.
Garcia's message on Instagram connected her Cincinnati triumph in 2022 with the new chapter of her life away from competition. The Frenchwoman recalled arriving in Cincinnati as a qualifier and leaving with the biggest title of her career, but also reflected on the pressure and expectations that accompanied her professional career.
In 2022, Garcia became the first qualifier to win a WTA 1000 title, defeating Jessica Pegula, Aryna Sabalenka and Petra Kvitova during her run to the trophy. She continued her remarkable season by reaching the US Open semifinals before winning the WTA Finals later that year, beating Sabalenka again in the championship match.
Four years later, Garcia is no longer measuring her life through rankings, titles or tournament results. Her recent retirement, combined with the arrival of her newborn, has given her a different perspective on the sacrifices and ambitions that defined her time on tour.
Garcia looks back on Cincinnati from a new perspective
Garcia opened her message by contrasting the player she was in Cincinnati four years ago with the life she has today. “Four years ago, I won Cincinnati. Today, I’m watching it from home, holding our two week old baby in my arms. And honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. Every experience, every challenge, every victory and every disappointment led me to where I am today.”
The Frenchwoman then reflected on the mentality required to compete at the highest level. She admitted that, for much of her career, every match, ranking point and tournament had felt enormously important, creating a constant focus on what needed to happen next rather than on what she had already achieved.
“Now, with this tiny, fragile newborn in my arms, I realize that tennis was never life or death. It was just tennis. And I don’t say that in a negative way. Quite the opposite. Tennis is an incredible gift. It’s something worth dedicating yourself to, working hard for, and making sacrifices for. But at the end of the day, it’s a game, and we should allow ourselves to enjoy it.”
That change in perspective also made Garcia reconsider how she celebrated her biggest achievements. Even after winning important titles, she often moved immediately toward the next objective rather than allowing herself to fully appreciate the moment.
“If I could do it all over again, every time I won a title, no matter how big or small, I would allow myself a few days (or even weeks) to slow down, celebrate, be proud, and truly enjoy the journey.”
The Cincinnati run that changed Garcia's career
Garcia's words carry particular weight because Cincinnati was the setting for the defining breakthrough of her career. She entered the 2022 WTA 1000 event through qualifying and became the first qualifier to both reach and win a final at that level.
Her route to the title included victories over three Grand Slam champions or finalists, with Pegula, Sabalenka and Kvitova all falling to the Frenchwoman. Garcia then defeated Kvitova in the final to complete one of the most impressive runs of the season.
The Cincinnati title proved to be the beginning of an extraordinary final stretch to 2022. Garcia reached the US Open semifinals weeks later before winning the WTA Finals, where she defeated Sabalenka in the final to claim the biggest title of her career.
Now, after retiring and becoming a mother, Garcia used the anniversary to address the players still chasing those same goals. Her central message was not to lower their ambitions, but to recognize the value of what they achieve along the way.
“A few months after you retire, you won’t regret not achieving one specific thing. You’ll know you gave everything you had," she added. "But what you might regret is not enjoying the ride enough. Being ambitious, wanting more, and chasing your dreams are not incompatible with celebrating your achievements and being proud of yourself. Actually, I think they go hand in hand.”
Garcia ended by congratulating this year's Cincinnati finalists, with a special message for Arthur Fils, before joking that she hopes to return to the tournament next year — this time to record episodes rather than compete.
"Good luck to all the finalists in Cincinnati (specially to @arthur.fils!). I can’t wait to be back next year… recording episodes this time"
Caroline Garcia — Cincinnati 2022 title run
| Round | Opponent | Opponent Rank | Score |
| Q1 | Diane Parry | 78 | 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 |
| Q2 | Andrea Petkovic | 106 | 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-2 |
| R64 | Petra Martic | 56 | 6-3, 6-3 |
| R32 | Maria Sakkari | 3 | 7-6(2), 6-7(6), 6-1 |
| R16 | Elise Mertens | 33 | 6-4, 7-5 |
| QF | Jessica Pegula | 7 | 6-1, 7-5 |
| SF | Aryna Sabalenka | 8 | 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 |
| F | Petra Kvitova | 28 | 6-2, 6-4 |
Garcia's run was particularly impressive because she came through qualifying and won eight matches in total. The Frenchwoman defeated three Top-10 players in the main draw: Sakkari, Pegula and Sabalenka.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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