Caroline Wozniacki has ended her season, after pulling out of next week’s WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai due to injury.
The former world No.1 was scheduled to play in the event, which features 11 players ranked between 9-19 and a wildcard entrant, but has formally withdrawn according to the tournament director. According to an official statement obtained by Danish media outlet TV2, Wozniacki has withdrawn due to foot injury, however, it is unknown how severe the injury is.
“We all hope she will get good treatment, so Wozniacki can recover quickly and get back on track soon.” A tournament official wrote in an email sent to TV2.dk.
Wozniacki has endured an injury-plagued season and was forced to miss the entire clay court block after hurting her ankle during a practice session. Later in the year she also suffered a left forehand injury which sidelined her from tournaments in Cincinnati and Montreal.
Despite her injury woes, the Dane has managed to end the year on a high after winning a duo of titles in Tokyo and Hong Kong. At the US Open she dropped only one set on route to reaching the semifinals of the tournament in what was her best grand slam performance since 2014. More recently at her final tournament of the season in Luxemburg, Wozniacki withdrew from the quarter-finals due to illness. She ends the year with a win-loss of 32-17, winning 21 of those matches since the start of the US Open in September.
Dropping to a low of 74th in August, Wozniacki’s late surge in form has elevated the Dane back inside the world’s top 20 for the first time since February where she is currently ranked 16th.
As a result of Wozniacki’s withdrawal, French Open semifinalist Kiki Bertens will take her place. The 24-year-old Dutch player has struggled on the tour in recent months after suffering six consecutive first round losses. She ended her losing streak in Luxembourg where she reached her first semi-final since July.
