• Caroline García refuses sponsorship offer from betting company for her podcast
• She wants it to be a safe space for talking wthout pressure

Former tennis player Caroline García turned down a $270,000 sponsorship offer from a betting company for her podcast, affirming that she chooses values and principles over money.

García retired from playing this year, after reaching the world No. 4 ranking during her career, but she has maintained her connection to the sport through the Tennis Insider Club podcast, which she founded with her husband Borja Duran.

She said via her social media accounts: "The decision to refuse was not easy, especially immediately after retirement, but we want to build a platform where players feel completely safe to speak with honesty, sincerity, and transparency, without pressure or distraction."

García did not reveal the name of the company that made the offer.

The player had drawn attention at last year’s US Open to the issue of persistent cyberbullying in tennis, especially from individuals betting on matches, after her first-round loss.

She added in her latest post: "Over the past two years, from my interactions with players, coaches, agents, and parents, one issue has repeatedly emerged: betting has become one of the biggest sources of pressure, abuse, and hatred in modern sports. I do not want Tennis Insider Club, even indirectly, to contribute to a system that fuels addiction, destroys lives, and turns players into daily targets."

During her career, García won 11 WTA titles and claimed the 2022 Finals title, the same year she reached the US Open semifinals. She also won the 2016 French Open doubles title.

Despite her successes, her career was not without challenges, as she faced injuries and pressure, taking a break from the sport in 2022. That same year, she revealed her struggles with eating disorders caused by physical pain from a foot injury and mental stress during the professional tour.

García clarified: "Our mission is to tell real stories from inside the world of tennis, inspire people, and develop the sport in a healthy way for players and audiences. Accepting betting money would have taken us in the opposite direction."