French tennis star Caroline Garcia has revealed her previous battle with 'uncontrollable' bulimia ahead of the Australian Open.

The world number four has now overcome the condition, but previously used binge eating as a coping mechanism when she was losing matches.

The eating disorder left Garcia 'empty and so sad' at times, and she admitted she has endured 'plenty of sleepless nights' over the past couple of years.

A semi-finalist at the US Open last year, Garcia told L'Equipe she often found refuge in food. 

'They were moments of crisis. You feel so empty, so sad, that you need to fill yourself up,' she said.

'It was the distress of not being able to do what I wanted to do on the court, not winning and suffering physically.'

Food became Garcia's form of escape, but after addressing the problem with family and friends, she learnt that being kind to herself was her key to overcoming the condition. 

Garcia, 29, has impressed during the United Cup in Perth and will be one of the main chances in the women's singles draw at Melbourne Park.

Her previous best result at the Australian Open was reaching the fourth round in 2018.

The Lyon-born star is also a talented doubles player, and Garcia delighted the home crowd after winning the French Open last year alongside Kristina Mladenovic.

The local pair also hoisted the women's doubles trophy in 2016. 

Monday, January 16 is when the on court action begins in Melbourne at the first Grand Slam of the year.