Fresh Australian Open champion and world number 1 Caroline Wozniacki revealed that she received a message of congratulations from the Danish Royal Family after her win in Melbourne against Simona Halep.
The 27-year-old Danish star celebrated her trophy with a photo-shoot on a punt ride at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Melbourne.
“I have heard from the royal family. They congratulated me and they were thrilled for me, so that was very exciting. I am just overwhelmed, excited, happy, a mix of a lot of emotions. I have not let the trophy and I am going to hold her (the trophy) for a little bit longer, just soaking it all in. It’s surreal. This does not come every day so when I have this opportunity and have these amazing days. I am just thrilled to be here”, said a very delighted Wozniacki.
Wozniacki followed up her WTA Finals title in Singapore with her maiden Grand Slam title in Melbourne and a return to the world number 1 spot in the WTA Ranking.
“It was a huge day for me. Getting my first Grand Slam, getting to world number 1, I think I am speechless. It’s an amazing feeling. I have my trophy Daphne here with me and she looks so pretty”.
Wozniacki was on the brink of defeat in the second round againsst Jana Fett when she had to save two match points at 1-5 in the third set earlier in the tournament and went on to end the Australian Open with the trophy. During the tournament the Dane beat Carla Suarez Navarro in three sets to advance to her second semifinal since 2011. She then beat Elise Mertens to reach her third career Grand Slam final and her first since 2014. She became the ninth woman to win the Australian Open title after saving match points.
“From being almost out of the tournament to sitting here with the Australian Open trophy, it’s amazing. It’s quite a turnaround. It’s something I am proud of. It was really a great momentum shift for me going further in the tournament after that”.
Halep and Wozniacki had never won a Grand Slam title before Saturday and there was much at stake during a nerve-wracking match. Wozniacki felt she had an opportunity to clinch her first Grand Slam title after finishing runner-up twice at the US Open.
“I was nervous going into the match. I knew what was at stake. I tried to have fun with this and enjoy the moment. I played very aggressively. We both played very aggressively. I knew that she is a great fighter and she was playing amazing tennis as well. Even until the match I didn’t know who is going to win the match but I knew I had an opportunity. Winning it this way makes it obviously extremely special because we both grinded it so hard. I am here and I am Australian Opne champion”
Wozniack famously ran the New York Marathon in 3 hours and 26 minutes. The final against Halep took 36 minutes less than her effort in New York. The Dane found the Australian Open final harder.
“It was definitely harder emotionally. It was such a tough grind. It was very hot out there, I think both of us were very tired in the end but I was not nervous. I was probably thinking, that I had opportunities to go up 3-0 and 4-1 in the final set and I did not take them. She was playing really well. I was thinking it looks like it may not be my day but I was never nervous at that point. I was just going to go out there and give it my all and swing for it. I was playing aggressively. I think I played well. It could have gone either way. I am happy it went my way”.
Wozniacki took the opportunity to thank her team for their support during the amazing two weeks.
“I think having such a great support system behind me made such a big difference. My dad Piotr said that he was very proud of me regardless of what would happened in the final. My boyfriend David really calmed me down and told me to take this as an opportunity and have fun”.
Wozniacki felt a sense of relief after winning her first Grand Slam title on her third attempt.
“One of the most positive things about all of this is that I am never going to get the question again: “When are you going to win a Grand Slam ?”. I am just waiting for the question: When are you going to win the second one ? I am just happy I have this one. I am going to really enjoy this moment”
Caroline received a message from her close friend Serena Williams after the final.
“It means a lot to me. She is a friend of mine. It means a lot she was supporting and following. She is just the best. It’s awesome”