Caroline Wozniacki has played down speculation about the possibility that Serena Williams could return to the Tour by saying it would be ‘lucky’ if she played an exhibition event.
Wozniacki, who is a long-time friend of Williams, believes the tennis great will not return to the Tour as she is busy with other ventures, such as her high-profile investment fund. Williams last played at the US Open after saying in an article for Vogue magazine that she is starting to evolve away from the sport. However, she hinted during a conference in San Francisco in October that the chances of her staging a return are ‘very high’ but nothing further has been said since then.
Speaking about the chances of a comeback on The Tennis Channel, Wozniacki believes it is unlikely that her former rival will do so. The Dane retired in January 2020 and the last doubles match she played was alongside Williams at the ASB Classic in New Zealand that year.
“I don’t think so. If she plays an exhibition I think that would be lucky but I don’t see her back playing on Tour. There are just so many things going on.” She said.
“I think she loves the game so much and it’s been her life for so many years. But at the same time, she is busy. I don’t think we will see her on a professional tennis court again.”
The two have clashed with each other 11 times on the Tour between 2009-2014 with Williams winning 10 of those meetings. Their meetings include the 2014 US Open final, the semi-final stage of the WTA Finals twice and the quarter-finals of the 2008 Olympic Games.
“Playing at the same time as her was tough because there were a lot of tournaments that I felt that I could have probably won if she hadn’t been in my way,” Wozniacki reflected. “But at the same time what an honour it has been to have been there (on the Tour) at the same time as her because I get to play against the best player that ever played this game.”
“I think it was incredible to share a court with her, play against her and I have gained a lifelong friend along the way.”
Whilst being competitors on the court, the two have become good friends. Williams was even one of Wozniacki’s bridesmaids during her wedding with former NBA player Davis Lee in 2019.
“She is just a great person. She is not only, in my opinion, the greatest tennis player of all time that I have played against. She pushed me and all the other women to play better and step up,” she continued.
“Also off the court, she is so thoughtful. She is the first person to call me if I went through anything to make sure I was okay. I really appreciate that.”
According to the International Tennis Integrity Agency, Williams has declared herself as retired from the sport.
The head-to-head record between Wozniacki and Williams
Year | Name | Round | Surface | Winning Player | Losing Player | Score |
2014 | WTA Champs | SF | Hard | Serena Williams | Caroline Wozniacki | 2-6 6-3 7-6(6) |
2014 | US Open | F | Hard | Serena Williams | Caroline Wozniacki | 6-3 6-3 |
2014 | Cincinnati Masters | SF | Hard | Serena Williams | Caroline Wozniacki | 2-6 6-2 6-4 |
2014 | Canadian Masters | QF | Hard | Serena Williams | Caroline Wozniacki | 4-6 7-5 7-5 |
2013 | Beijing | QF | Hard | Serena Williams | Caroline Wozniacki | 6-1 6-4 |
2012 | Olympic Tennis | QF | Grass | Serena Williams | Caroline Wozniacki | 6-0 6-3 |
2012 | Madrid Masters | R16 | Clay | Serena Williams | Caroline Wozniacki | 1-6 6-3 6-2 |
2012 | Miami Masters | QF | Hard | Caroline Wozniacki | Serena Williams | 6-4 6-4 |
2011 | US Open | SF | Hard | Serena Williams | Caroline Wozniacki | 6-2 6-4 |
2009 | WTA Champs | SF | Hard | Serena Williams | Caroline Wozniacki | 6-4 0-1 Retired |
2009 | Sydney | QF | Hard | Serena Williams | Caroline Wozniacki | 6-7(5) 6-3 7-6(3) |