French No.1 Caroline Garcia has turned to the help of a familiar face following the unexpected departure of her coach Bertrand Perret.
Earlier this week Perret posted a statement on social media confirming that is no longer working with the world No.6 despite the success they have achieved together this season. Garcia started 2022 ranked 74th in the world but has shot up the rankings following a trio of titles she won in Bad Homburg, Warsaw and Cincinnati. Then at the US Open, she reached the semi-finals in what was her best-ever performance at a Grand Slam event.
The timing of Perret’s departure from the camp is quite peculiar with Garcia set to play in the prestigious WTA Finals for the first time since 2017. However, he told L’Equipe newspaper it was the right thing to do.
“I would have liked to go to the Masters (WTA Finals), yes,” he said. “But I’m not a man of pretense and when it’s over, it’s over. There was no point in prolonging it artificially. I preferred to cut rather than tear.”
Addressing the change in her team during her pre-tournament press conference at the WTA Finals on Saturday, Garcia confirmed that her former mentor decided to stop their collaboration. Perret has a wealth of experience in women’s tennis after also previously working with Ons Jabeur, Peng Shuai and Tatjana Maria.
“I just would like to thank Bertrand and all the hard work we did this year. It was a great investment personally and professionally. We started far away and we came to the top of it at the end of the season,” said Garcia.
“He decided to leave the team after Mexico and I respected the decision.’
“Now I have to be focused on the present, on the action, my best preparation I can have to play this tournament.”
In wake of the split, Garcia has turned to the help of tennis coach Juan Pablo Guzman who previously worked with her during the second half of last season. It is unclear if this arrangement is just for the WTA Finals or if Guzman will continue supporting during the off-season.
In her return to the season-ending tournament, the 29-year-old has been drawn in the same group as the formidable Iga Swiatek who she has beaten already this season. Also in her section is rising star Coco Gauff and Daria Kasatkina.
“She lost very few matches. I won against her in Poland, but it was in very different conditions. She was playing in Poland, and it was probably her first time.” Garcia said of Swiatek.
“It’s a whole different match for sure. It’s group stage as well. I will try to play my game, and be aggressive. That’s my way of playing, and that’s probably the best chance I have to beat her.”
Garcia is bidding to become only the second Frenchwoman in history to win the WTA Finals crown after Amélie Mauresmo in 2005.
