The Australian Open 2020 was the last tournament for Danish tennis star Caroline Wozniacki Her tennis journey ended with a 3rd round defeat against Tunisian player Ons Jabeur. In this article we rewind in time to look back at an illustrious career that propelled the girl from Denmark to evolve into a great tennis player, a World Number 1 in WTA rankings and a Grand Slam champion.
Initial Years And Entry Into Top 10
Caroline was ranked World Number 2 in junior rankings and turned pro in 2005. She won her 1st WTA title in the Nordic Lights Open in Stockholm when she beat Vera Dushevina of Russia in straight sets. Caroline Wozniacki’s career resurge in 2009. She won 3 titles that year as well as reached her first Grand Slam final at the US Open 2009.
Seeded 9th in the US Open 2009 Caroline Wozniacki beat many difficult opponents to race through to the final against Belgian Kim Clijsters. The final however was not her day as Wozniacki was beaten comprehensively in 2 sets. The solid performance throughout the year 2009 however gave Wozniacki and entry in the top 5 of the WTA world rankings. She also qualified for the WTA season finale then held in Doha.
In India: Politics & Entertainment
Big Titles And World Number 1 Ranking
Wozniacki reached her 1st WTA premier title final at 2010 Indian Wells. She would however lose out the then World Number 1 Jelena Jankovic of Serbia. Wozniacki won 3 big hard court titles in 2011 which included the Canadian Open, Pan Pacific Open in Japan and the China Open.
All this success catapulted the Danish star the top of the WTA rankings. Caroline became one of the few players to become the World Number 1 without having won a Grand Slam title. Wozniacki also reached the finals of the Sony Ericsson WTA season ending finale in 2010 but lost out to Kim Clijsters in the final. She however finished the year as the World Number 1.
In 2011 again Wozniacki had a decent success throughout the year. She won 6 titles in that year which included success at Indian Wells and Dubai Open. Wozniacki also finished the year as the World Number 1 in her 2nd season in a row.
From 2012 onwards, Wozniacki faced several issues with her form and fitness. That led to her decline from the WTA top 10 rankings. Wozniacki did reach her 2nd Grand Slam final in US Open 2014 but lost out easily to her close friend Serena Williams in 2 sets. The Danish star was in and out of the top 10 till 2017 when she made a strong comeback to the top 5 and slowly went on to regain the WTA World Number 1 ranking in 2018.
Grand Slam Success And Return To World Number 1
Wozniacki did show a return to form in 2017. However she lost in many finals like Miami, Dubai, Doha and Toronto before winning in the Pan Pacific Open in Japan. In October 2017 Wozniacki won her 1st WTA season ending finale. which was then being held in Singapore. Wozniacki beat players like Simona Halep, Karolína Plíšková and Venus Williams on her way to the title.
In the 2018 Australian Open Caroline Wozniacki finally tasted her 1st Grand Slam success. Seeded 2nd in the tournament Wozniacki beat the top seed Simona Halep of Romania in the epic 3 set final. She subsequently regained the World Number 1 rankings 6 years after she had earlier become the Women’s Number 1 player.
Wozniacki would win her last WTA singles title in the China Open of 2018. Caroline Wozniacki also won 2 doubles titles in her career which included the China Open of 2008 and Cellular South Cup in 2009 at Memphis.
The Danish star with a big heart bid adieu to the game of tennis in the Australian Open 2020. Tennis will certainly miss her but she will be fondly remembered as the fierce competitor who always had a smile on her face.