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After a recent loss, Caroline Garcia opened up about her difficulties with mentally switching off and the impact that tennis can have on athletes. Diego Schwartzman, on the other hand, was the subject of rough treatment from the Chilean crowd during his encounter at the Chile Open. Romania's Andreea Prisacariu recently came forward to show solidarity with the two players, trying to explain the challenges that tennis players face daily.
Garcia, the reigning WTA Finals champion, lost 4-6, 6-3, 5-7 to Croatia’s Donna Vekic in the final of the Monterrey Open on March 5. Soon after, she revealed how difficult it was for her to cope with the loss, especially the mistakes she made during the match.
"Terribly tired, physically and mentally, leaving to the airport in 6h but I can’t fall asleep, I am “afraid” to go to sleep," she wrote in Instagram stories. "My mind is going crazy. Every time I switch off the lights and put my head on the pillow, I can rewatch my match, that serve catching the lines on break point or that easy forehand missed or that bad choice. Tennis can drive you crazy a little bit."
During the Chile Open last week, Schwartzman experienced unnecessary booing from the spectators while facing home favorite Nicolas Jarry.
Prisacariu empathized with Garcia and Schwartzman and stated that most fans do not understand the struggles that athletes go through on tour.
"Recently, Garcia made a statement about her anxieties and fears and to be honest, I was simply disgusted by the comments. I really do believe that most people don't quite understand the pain we have to endure every day. Personally, I had days where I cried myself to sleep," she tweeted.
"But that doesn't matter, cause at the end of the day, after a lost match, there will still be threats, there will still be online bullying and why not, even worse, face to face bullying, as Schwartzman had to face recently," Prisacariu wrote.
"And besides that, I am not allowed to have an opinion cause I am 400, right? So that means I am sh*t. Amazing, thanks," she added.
Caroline Garcia sheds light on "inspirational week" in Monterrey
After losing to Donna Vekic in the title clash at the WTA 250 Monterrey Open, Caroline Garcia took to social media to reflect on her experience in the Mexican city. She revealed that she enjoyed her time both on and off the court.
“Runner up in Monterrey @abiertognpseguros. This week was an inspirational week on and off court. Really enjoyed every minute of it. Loved the Mexican positives vibes,” Caroline Garcia wrote.
The World No. 5 will next be seen in action in Indian Wells.
