Wozniacki Gets Down to Business in Flushing Meadows

Former world number one looks to regain top form at U.S. Open

August 21, 2014 | By Andrew Eichenholz
Photo credit: Matthew Stockman

Caroline Wozniacki has been in the news a lot lately, and for both herself and the tennis community, it has been for all the wrong reasons. With the summer hard court season well under way, the former world number one has a chance to right her woes, and gather momentum for a major run at this year’s U.S. Open.

In very public fashion, Rory McIlroy, golf’s world top-ranked golfer, and long-time boyfriend of Wozniacki, decided that he was not ready for marriage. The day after the engaged couple sent their wedding invitations out, McIlroy got cold feet and reached out to Caroline to end their relationship.

Even Serena Williams, arguably the most visible figure on the WTA Tour, reached out to Wozniacki through social media to be by her side. The duo have since been spotted spending time together in Miami, accompanying each other to the beach and out in the Miami nightlife.

One thing that did go unnoticed was the fall that Wozniacki’s ranking had taken over the last few seasons. After spending an impressive 67 weeks at the top of the world rankings, the Denmark native eventually plummeted all the way to 18th in the world, a far cry from the top spot she once called home for so long.

With the distraction of her relationship out of the way, Wozniacki, known for her defensive prowess and ability to frustrate opponents into losses, has begun to slowly return to form. Showing signs of beginning to step into the ball a bit more to put matches into her own hands, Wozniacki recently won her first title of the season at the Istanbul Cup, beating the top doubles player in the world, Roberta Vinci, in dominating fashion.

When Wozniacki returns to New York City for the U.S. Open, which begins play on Aug. 25, she will be able to rely on her previous success to boost her confidence at the final Grand Slam of the year. Caroline reached her only major final in Flushing Meadows in 2009 where she fell to wild card Kim Clijsters, while also separately fighting her way to two of the three semifinals of her Grand Slam career.

Tennis will not be all that Wozniacki has to look forward to in New York at the end of the summer. After the last balls of the season are struck, Wozniacki will return to the city that never sleeps for a different kind of challenge.

On Nov. 2, Wozniacki will be participating in the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon. More than just the tennis world will be watching Wozniacki as she attempts to overcome the 26.2 miles which will pose a tough obstacle. She will be competing in the event to raise money in order to support the Team for Kids charity, which benefits children who may not be privileged to certain physical activity programs, which the charity provides through running.

For all that Caroline Wozniacki has gone through both on and off the court, she is doing all she can to overcome. With her results improving, and charity work flowing, look out for Wozniacki as the tennis world descends upon Queens. 


Andrew Eichenholz
Centercourt
USTA NTC

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