Caroline Wozniacki will return to action at next week’s Australian Open before taking a break until March, according to her father and coach.
The former world No.1 has played just four tournaments since starting her return to competitive tennis at the age of 33. The Dane reached the fourth round of the US Open in September but has only won one out of four matches played in her other three tournaments. Last week at the ASB Classic in Auckland she lost in straight sets to Elina Svitolina in the first round.
Wozniacki is set to continue playing on the Tour in a sort of part-time capacity, according to her father Piotr. Speaking to the newspaper Ekstra Bladet earlier this week, Piotr said the focus will be on the Grand Slam tournaments where his daughter might have to rely on organizers to hand her a wildcard into the main draw. Wozniacki is currently ranked 252nd in the WTA standings.
“We can of course discuss back and forth whether it is good or bad. But Caroline has made a decision that she will not play as many tournaments this year,” he said.
“I think it is the right decision. She is also a different player now because she has children and a family. She knows what she has to do this year, and she has set very specific goals. She has a goal of playing in the four Grand Slams and the Olympics. And her goals are the most important.”
Regarding this year’s Olympic Games which will be held at Roland Garros, the hope is that the former Grand Slam winner will be allowed to participate under the rulebook. Holger Rune has previously mentioned that he would be willing to play in the mixed doubles with her in Paris.
Wozniacki’s father has played a pivotal role in her career and has guided her through most of it. However, this time around he is taking more of a backseat role.
“Today she is not just a tennis player mentally and in terms of experience. She is also a kind of coach for herself,” he explains.
“I support her of course. I analyze her game, look at statistics and analyze her opponents. But she knows best what to do and what is good for her. She knows how long she has to train and what things she has to focus on. She has almost become a team in herself.”
The next test will be Melbourne Park where Wozniacki won her first and so far only major title back in 2018. It will be her 53rd appearance in a Grand Slam main draw.
