Australian Open 2024: “I was afraid to enter the court”, admits Caroline Garcia after her victory against Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka (à gauche) et Caroline Garcia (à droite). XinHua – Wang Shen

"I was afraid to enter the court", admitted Caroline Garcia, recalling the hours which preceded her victory 6-4, 7-6 (7/2) against Naomi Osaka, former world No.1 returning from maternity, in the first round of the Australian Open on Monday.

"You should have seen me at 4 p.m….”, Garcia replied to a journalist at a press conference.

"Playing Naomi (Osaka) in the first round, a very great player, who is making her comeback, playing very late, it overwhelmed me and I was afraid of “entering the court,” she said. "Sometimes I have a lot of trouble managing my emotions. On the court, I haven't always had fun lately. We're trying to work on that. Sometimes it overwhelms me."

"I tried to breathe as much as possible between each point"

"It's good to let your emotions out sometimes. I let them out: that means I cried a lot,” revealed the French No.1 and 19th player in the world, adding “And I spoke with my team , they transmitted positive energy to me."

"And afterwards, you realize that you prepared, that you trained well, that you have good matches behind you (since the start of the season), even if&# 39;they have not worked in your favor. I felt good physically. I tried to breathe as much as possible between each point, Garcia continued.

"It will definitely give me the confidence to continue learning how to better manage all of this. It can help me do great things, or at least enjoy the adventure, she hoped.

Her next opponent will be the Polish Magdalena Frech (69th).