Former world No. 4 Caroline Garcia recently announced that she will retire from professional tennis "in the coming weeks," making this her last appearance at Roland Garros.
The 31-year-old Frenchwoman has established herself as the best French player of recent times, winning a total of 11 titles – including the 2022 WTA Finals – and reaching a US Open semi-final. She also won the French Open doubles title twice (2016 and 2022), both times alongside Kristina Mladenovic.
Garcia's retirement announcement came just days ago, following a period with limited competition and without the results that once kept her consistently in the top 10 and contending for major titles. Garcia also boasts three WTA 1000 titles and a total of 26 victories against top-10 players.
Caroline Garcia (No. 144) specifically returned to the court for this French Open, where she was drawn to face Bernarda Pera (No. 83) in the first round. Despite being a match between two players outside the top 80, the organizers decided to schedule the clash on Suzanne Lenglen Stadium to give Garcia a proper send-off – in case she is eliminated.
As she prepared to enter the court, television cameras captured Garcia's emotion. She was seen waiting in the tunnel, visibly in tears, for the announcement to step back onto the Roland Garros court one last time. After taking a deep breath and managing a smile, Garcia entered the stadium to a full ovation for one of the best French players seen in recent memory.
🥹 @CaroGarcia #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/0vWh3zBK9T
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 26, 2025
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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