Caroline Garcia on her comeback in 2025: "I don't want to play for trophies, but for the person I'm going to become"
In what psychological state will Caroline Garcia return to the circuit?
The Frenchwoman, who fell back beyond the top 50 for the first time in over two years, ended her season in September after receiving hate messages and insults on social networks.
The former world number 4 in the WTA rankings has already promised her fans a date with Australia for the first Grand Slam of the season in early 2025.
On her X account, the 31-year-old published a long message in which she talks about her new goals.
She hopes to devote more time to the human side of things, rather than focusing on the sporting aspect.
"In a month's time, if all goes well, I'll be back on the Australian Open courts. It's not just a return to competition, but also a personal confrontation.
Every day, I get down to work, striving to be physically and mentally ready," wrote Garcia.
"Most of the time, I find joy in this process, but there are times when doubt sets in: the fear of failure.
These thoughts may seem overwhelming, but I realized that the real failure would be to let them define me.
My goal will no longer be to win a Grand Slam or get back into the top 5. I don't want to play for trophies, rankings or expectations.
I want to do it for the person I'm going to become over the course of the adventure.
When this chapter is over, I want to look back and know that I've succeeded not only as an athlete, but also as a human being.
That I've faced all the difficulties, all the self-doubt, and that I've made my own way.
Whatever the result, I want to look back and say: I did it my way, and that was enough."