Big stage too much for Caroline Garcia

Caroline Garcia said she cannot handle the pressure of playing on the big stage, after a surprise first-round exit at the French Open on Sunday.

Garcia, the 31st seed, was upended by Donna Vekic 3-6 6-3 6-2 on Court Philippe Chatrier on the opening day at Roland Garros.

Despite storming onto the tennis scene on the very same court when she led Maria Sharapova 6-3 4-1 in the second round in 2011, Garcia - now 21 - said she struggled with the pressure of expectation.

Garcia, then aged 17 and a wildcard, went on to lose to Sharapova, but the performance had many - including Andy Murray - tipping her to go on to bigger things.

"I don't know if it's a bitter disappointment, I'm disillusioned because here at the French Open I can't play tennis, whether I'm playing a top-10 player or Vekic, who is a very good player," Garcia lamented.

"I can't make it here, it doesn't depend on the opponent, it depends on myself and I can't play here at the French Open and I hope it can change in the future."

Two of Garcia's losses at the clay-court major since her defeat to Sharapova have come against former Paris champions Serena Williams (2013) and Ana Ivanovic (2014).

"It was OK but I didn't play good tennis. I mean I can play far better," Garcia added.

"We made lots of unforced errors and she was making more unforced errors in the first set, that's why I won it.

"But I didn't feel relaxed, and when she got into the match, I couldn't play any longer."

Garcia said her request to play on a court of lesser standing could have benefitted her winning chances.

"I've made my request, I wanted to play on a smaller court but that's the way it is," she said.

"They decided to organise the match on centre court, Philippe Chatrier, and I practised there for the whole week but it's very different to practice.

"This is something that I know, and I will draw lessons from that. For next year I hope that I will go through to the next round."

She added: "It's very tough for me to play in Paris, far more difficult than in other tournaments and I'm quite emotional.

"When you are emotional it can be a benefit, today it was a drawback. So far being too emotional hasn't helped me, so I will continue to work and make strides.

"It's a big court, I watched many matches on TV on this centre court.

"It does encapsulate what Roland Garros is.

"For me, it's too much to play on this court and next year I will ask to play on court number nine.

"A sort of hidden court where there's nobody there."