FORT WORTH, Texas, USA (AP) – Caroline Garcia donned a cowboy hat and posed with the trophy. Previously, she told fans that she enjoyed her first trip to Texas.
There were many reasons for this.
Garcia went through a tight first set on Monday to set her on course for a 7-6 (4), 6-4 win over Aryna Sabalenka to clinch the WTA Finals title.
Garcia, sixth in the world rankings, became the second French woman to win this season-ending tournament. The first was Amelie Mauresmo in 2005.
That was also the last time the WTA Finals were held in the United States.
There was only one breaking point in a duel between tennis leaders in aces. García leads the tour in this category, while Sabalenka leads the competition.
Garcia converted that break point in the first game of the second set. He ended up trimming seventh-placed Sabalenka in his third defeat in 12 finals on hardcourt of his career.
Garcia’s decisive shot comes with her on the serve. Sabalenka sent a very long backhand shot.
Garcia fell backwards onto the floor and brought his fists to his eyes.
“There is definitely a lot of joy and happiness,” Garcia told reporters an hour later, still wearing the Texas hat and holding the trophy. “It was a crazy final, with a lot of intensity every moment from the start.”
The match took place on a temporary indoor court at Dickies Arena.
The WTA Finals were moved to Texas from China amid safety concerns of Grand Slam doubles champion Peng Shuai, who accused a former official from her country of sexual assault.
Restrictions that continue to apply in parts of China due to the coronavirus also influenced the decision.
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