French WTA Star Caroline Garcia Gets Emotional About Tennis’s Brutal Demands

French tennis star Caroline Garcia has withdrawn from the 2025 Rome Open, but her exit has sparked more than just headlines about a missing name in the draw—it has prompted a powerful and deeply personal reflection on the toll professional sport takes on the body and mind.

In a heartfelt message posted to her social media, Garcia candidly shared the emotional and physical struggles she has faced in recent months, calling into question the long-standing culture of glorifying pain and perseverance in elite sports.

Garcia revealed that her decision not to compete in Rome came after a long period of playing through significant pain, primarily in her shoulder. She disclosed that in order to continue competing, she had relied heavily on anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroid injections, and plasma treatments—just to manage daily discomfort. 

“Recently, I relied almost entirely on anti-inflammatory medications to successfully manage the pain in my shoulder. Without them, it was unbearable. In recent months, I've received corticosteroid injections, plasma treatments, and other treatments just to keep me competing”, said Garcia “I'm not sharing this to arouse pity, or to prove I'm tough. It might even be the opposite. I'm asking myself this: Is it really reasonable to push our bodies to this extent?”