Last year, Caroline Wozniacki came back with a bang at the US Open, after a disappointing first half of the year.
Injuries and poor play put her on the path to early retirement, but now, she is back and down in OZ, she is looking to continue the momentum she attained in Flushing.
“I feel really good body-wise and mentally, which is huge for me,” the No. 17 seed said. “Yeah, the results have come after that, which is nice. I played really well at the end of last year. Probably some of the best tennis I have ever played, so that was great.
“You know, I’m just, you know, trying to find my footing this year. I feel like I have been playing some good tennis, and I’m feeling confident and good about this year.”
Wozniacki is in the third round of the Australian Open after beating Donna Vekic 6-1 6-3 in what she hopes will become a full banner comeback year.
At 26, she is much too young to be considered over the hill, but injuries took toll last year and Wozniacki needed to make adjustments. That includes hiring a full time physio to travel with her and also working out less in order to be in top tennis shape.
But even though she has a physio and her dad, of course in her entourage, that doesn’t mean she has a full entourage.
“I think I like to keep it small. I’m very — as much as I’m very social, I’m also very antisocial, if that makes sense,” she said. “So, like, you know, when I’m playing tournaments and when I’m here, for example, after here I’ll go eat something and obviously talk to everybody.
“But then once I get back, I just lay there, watch some tennis on TV, watch a movie, read a book, don’t really do much. I like it calm, and I like to have the people next to me being really close.”
And that includes keeping it cool when it comes to the off-season. She lives in Monaco, but also lives in New York part of the year during the summer and practices on the tennis courts off the West Side Highway.
But it’s a simple life for one of the most popular players on the women’s circuit. Although she is very private, she is also very active on social media relating with her fans.
“I think it’s great for the fans, as well, and to be able to keep up with you and see what you’re doing,” she said. “I think as a youngster I would have loved to have followed my idols in that way. But also, you know, for the sponsors and everything, I think it’s important, as well.”
Wozniacki will play No 9 seed Johanna Konta in the third round, who has made tremendous strides in the rankings during the past 12 months.
“She’s been around for years, you know, trying to break through,” Wozniacki said. “She’s always had the game.I think she had a great last year, and, you know, yeah, it’s nice to see.But if it’s quick or not, I don’t know. I think if you ask her, she’ll say it’s been a long, you know, hard ride. It’s paying off for her now, which is great.”
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