World No.35 Caroline Wozniacki only has the Australian Open to play before retiring from the sport after pulling out her latest tournament on Monday.
The former world No.1 had been due to play at the Kooyong Classic. An exhibition event that takes place annually in Melbourne the week before the grand slam event. Wozniacki hasn’t commented on her decision, but her withdrawal was confirmed by tournament organiser Peter Johnston. Saying she is out of the event as a ‘precautionary measure.’ Although there is no indication to suggest that she is suffering from an injury of some sort.
“She’s pulled up a bit sore after playing in Auckland so as a precaution ahead of the Open she’s decided not to play,” Johnson told reporters.
The Kooyong Classic, which will officially start on Tuesday, is a mixed event with a separate men’s and women’s tournament. This year’s field includes Nick Kyrgios, Maria Sharapova, Marin Cilic, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Grigor Dimitrov.
Wozniacki confirmed in December that she will end her career at the upcoming Australian Open. The tournament where she won her first and so far only grand slam title in 2018. Last week, the Dane played both singles and doubles at the ASB Classic. Reaching the semifinals and final respectively. In the doubles, she paired up with Serena Williams for the first time, who won her first title since 2017 in Auckland.
Following her loss in the doubles, the 29-year-old had a special on-court presentation to mark her career. Where she hailed her time on the court with the 23-time grand slam champion.
“I think my only regret in tennis is that we didn’t do this earlier,” said Wozniacki, of playing with Williams. “Because I’ve had such a blast. It’s rare that I have this much fun on court. It’s a fun way to finish off in Auckland, I couldn’t have scripted it any better, [though] obviously I wish we could have won (the doubles title).
Wozniacki will now switch her focus to the Australian Open, which will get underway next Monday. It was at the event where she back-to-back grand slam matches for the first time after reaching the fourth round in 2008 at the age of 17. It will be her 13th consecutive appearance in Melbourne. She has won 34 out of 45 matches played there.
