Madison Keys won the Australian Open in January, doing just that, as she won her first Major title at 29 years old.

She wasn’t the only star to enjoy success, however, as four other champions have been crowned in women’s tennis in 2025; Clara Tauson, McCartney Kessler, Ekaterina Alexandrova, and Elise Mertens.

While some flourish, others struggle, as one WTA star is working hard to secure a first win having made a comeback to the sport after taking a break in 2024.

Speaking after a first-round exit at the Australian Open, she has hinted at what she may do, should she stop enjoying tennis in 2025.

Caroline Garcia hints at a possible retirement from tennis in 2025 if she stops having a ‘good time’

Speaking on her Tennis Insider Club podcast, former world number four Caroline Garcia opened up about why she took a break from tennis at the end of 2024.

“Obviously my shoulder was bothering me for almost a year and a half, and we were trying to find a solution, but it was more mentally, for me,” she said.

“It was the second year that it was kind of tough, and since the beginning of the year I was thinking to take a break.”

The French WTA star went on to explain why she chose not to skip the 2024 season entirely.

“I really wanted to play Olympics in France, so at the beginning when I was thinking I’ll take one month, two months [break], I thought what about if I don’t come back and don’t play in the Olympics?” said Garcia.

“So we tried to adapt, lighter schedule, lighter practice, morning practice, afternoon you do whatever you want.

“So we kind of battled with the team until the end of the year, and US Open, Guadalajara.”

Home favorite Garcia suffered a disappointing first-round exit at the Paris Olympics, falling to Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian, 7-5, 3-6, 4-6.

The 2022 WTA Finals champion failed to reach the third round at the French Open, Wimbledon, or the US Open in 2024, as she finally took a much-needed break from the sport.

“Then I really needed time to refresh my mind, and think about why I wanted to keep playing tennis,” she said.

“During the year, and the season when it was so intense I felt like I couldn’t think, I couldn’t work properly with the psychologist during the season because we were just putting tape on what was happening this week.

“The deep cause was not worked on, so it was good to do that, time to enjoy a little bit.”

The Frenchwoman then outlined the changes she has made for 2025, as she looks to approach the sport differently after taking a break.

“I started my pre-season, little by little in November, no expectations, just see where it brings me,” she said.

“I feel sometimes, I want to do it for myself for the first time and discover the tennis life my own way, with the balance I want, not that I was pushed to do, so it’s new.

“For now I work with no coach, I spent one month with Albert Costa listening to him, I spent one week in Paris with [Ivan] Ljubicic, for me this is completely different, and a lighter schedule, let’s see what it brings.”

Garcia finished off by revealing her plans for the future.

“If I have a good time I’ll keep going, if not we will see,” she said.

Has Caroline Garcia won a match since returning to the WTA Tour?

Garcia lost to Naomi Osaka in the first round of the Australian Open, making her return to the court after 120 days out.

The French star battled hard throughout, eventually losing 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, to her Japanese opponent.

Off the back of a tough loss in Melbourne, Garcia headed to the Middle East for the WTA 500 event in Abu Dhabi.

Her first-round opponent, Lulu Sun, was also yet to win a match in 2025, as one player was guaranteed to get off the mark in the UAE.

Unfortunately for Garcia, it wasn’t her day, as she lost in two convincing sets, 1-6, 3-6.

The 31-year-old’s next steps remain unclear, as she is not scheduled to take part in Doha, or Dubai later this month.

Fans of Garcia will surely hope to see her back on the court soon, as at her best, she truly is one of the top stars in the women’s game.

Related Topics