“I shed numerous tears as Garcia managed to control her emotions in the face of Osaka.”

Caroline Garcia emerged as a commanding victor in the first-round showdown against Naomi Osaka (6-4, 7-6) at the Australian Open on Monday. Her remarkable composure during the match stood in stark contrast to the emotional moment just a few hours prior, when she was visibly moved to tears.

Certainly, we must exercise caution before prematurely anointing Caroline Garcia as a title favorite once again. It remains too early to declare the return of Caroline Garcia, who dominated at the close of 2017 and 2022. However, one undeniable fact stands out: the French player delivered a nearly flawless performance on Monday, subduing Naomi Osaka (6-4, 7-6) in the highly anticipated women’s first-round clash at the Australian Open. This marked one of her most accomplished matches in a long while, especially on such a significant stage.

Garcia’s prowess was particularly evident in her serving, where she did not yield a single break point. Beyond the tennis-specific aspects, her calm demeanor and apparent composure throughout the match, even during tense moments like being 0-30 down while serving at 5-4 to secure the first set, were impressive.

Despite the pressure, she executed a brilliant comeback with a powerful forehand winner, followed by an ace and a service winner. Externally, she appeared unfazed, but internally, the stress was acknowledged: “At 5-4, I told my coach, Pressure is coming up; I have to serve it out, and I feel more and more stress.” Nevertheless, she handled it with poise.

Contrasting with her struggles under pressure in 2023, Garcia seems to have undertaken significant work ahead of this new season. The tense and shaky version of Caro from last year has seemingly transformed. In this high-stakes duel, she showcased moments of smiles, a welcome departure that not only enhances the viewing experience but also proves more effective on the court.

This transformation is a testament to her meticulous preparation for this specific match and the associated pressure. In her post-match press conference, she expressed the significance of playing against Naomi on these courts and acknowledged that this match would be memorable.

However, when questioned about whether the day was “perfect,” she responded with a smile, saying, “You should have seen me at 4 pm today!” At precisely 4 pm, five hours before stepping into the arena, she posted a lengthy tweet, essentially a cathartic expression, promising to give her best for this first round. It was a way for her to accept and embrace her emotions, allowing them to come forth for a cathartic release. While it remains uncertain if she has discovered the recipe for permanent serenity, this time, at least, it proved effective.

She elaborated on her emotional experience, stating, “I let it out, so that means I cried a lot. I had discussions with my team. They provided me with positive energy, including my partner and coach. Afterward, I realized that I had prepared well, trained effectively, and had some noteworthy performances against players like Iga and Elena, even if the results didn’t favor me. I felt good physically. Then, I tried to focus on breathing as much as I could during every single point.”

Regarding managing emotions, she admitted, “Sometimes there’s a lot going on. Occasionally, I really struggle with my emotions. Lately, I haven’t always had a great time on the court. We are actively working on it. It can be overwhelming. Facing Naomi in the first round, a remarkable player, playing a late match – I was overwhelmed and apprehensive to step out there. Sometimes, it’s good to let emotions out, embrace them, and then do the best you can.”