Unlike 12 months ago Caroline Wozniacki embarks upon the North American hard court series with something she has never achieved before – a grand slam title.
In January the Danish player battled past Simona Halep to win the Australian Open. She will bidding to add to her grand slam title collection later this year as the US Open. The only major event where she has managed to reach the final at on multiple occasions. Prior to the New York tournament, the world No.2 will start her hard court season this week at the Citi Open in Washington.
“It feels great to have won my first Grand Slam. It was a great two weeks,” Wozniacki said during her pre-tournament press conference on Monday. “At this point, you have to keep on working hard and try to be in the best shape possible heading into the US Open. That’s all you can do.”
Wozniacki will be the top seed at this week’s Citi Open, which also features Sloane Stephens and Naomi Osaka. In recent weeks the 28-year-old has enjoyed mixed fortunes on the WTA Tour. During the grass-court season, she won her 29th WTA title at the Eastbourne International. Despite the triumph, she was unable to carry her momentum into Wimbledon as she crashed out in the second round. Losing to Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova in three sets.
Since her loss at The All England Club, Wozniacki has enlisted the help of her former trainer. Despite winning a total of 23 WTA titles on a hard court, Wozniacki hasn’t claimed a trophy in North America since the 2011 Connecticut Open.
“I took a little time off,” Wozniacki said about what she did after Wimbledon. “It has been a hard season. My old trainer came in and pushed me to my limits. I wanted to be in the best shape possible. So it feels fine.”
Despite her recent lack of success in the region, Wozniacki is maintaining an upbeat mentality of what lies ahead.
“I love the hard court season. I love grass (also), I love hard courts.” She states.
“It is the nicest part of the season. I’ve been working really hard to get to get in the best shape possible.”
At the Citi Open, Wozniacki will start her campaign against Ukrainian qualifier Anhelina Kalinina. A 21-year-old player currently ranked 143rd in the world.
