Caroline Garcia has announced that her decision to not speak with the media following her first round exit from the US Open was due to a family death.
The French world No.7 suffered a 6-4, 6-1, loss to qualifier Wang Yafan in just over an hour on Monday. Garcia’s early exit came 12 months after she reached the semi-final in New York which was her best-ever run at a Grand Slam tournament in singles. It is the first time she has lost her opening match at a major event since the 2022 Australian Open.
Following her exit on Monday, Garcia didn’t speak with the media which was assumed to be to do with her disappointment of losing. However, she received tragic news on the same day that her grandmother had died. She confirmed the news in a statement that was posted on her social media account on Tuesday.
“These last two days have been very difficult for our family. My grandmother passed away on Monday afternoon,” Garcia wrote.
“I couldn’t attend the press conference after my loss, the emotions were too overwhelming.”
Following the tragic news, Garcia has pulled out of the doubles tournament. She reached the US Open doubles final back in 2016 alongside Kristina Mladenovic who she was set to play with again this year.
“My heart needs to be with my relatives to big my grandmother a last farewell, this is why I have to withdraw from doubles with Kristina,” she said.
“There is time for everything in life, today tennis is secondary.”
Garcia, who won the WTA Finals last November, is yet to beat a top 20 player this year.
