Former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki on Friday announced that she would retire after next month’s Australian Open, insisting that she “has accomplished everything” that she wanted to on a tennis court.
The 29-year-old Dane won her only Grand Slam singles title in Melbourne last year in her third major final.
“I’ve accomplished everything I could ever dream of on the court,” she wrote on Instagram. “I’ve always told myself, when the time comes, that there are things away from tennis that I want to do more, then it’s time to be done.”
Wozniacki, who turned professional at the age of 15 in 2005, spent 71 weeks at the top of the WTA rankings after first becoming the world’s best player in October 2010.
She has won 30 WTA titles so far in her career, including the 2017 Tour Finals in Singapore.
Wozniacki, who finished 11 straight seasons in the world top 20, is currently ranked 37th after struggling with injuries and poor form this year, reaching only one final.
She said that she wanted to focus on family life with her husband and former NBA champion David Lee, as well as raising awareness of the autoimmune disease she suffers from, rheumatoid arthritis.
“In recent months, I’ve realized that there is a lot more in life that I’d like to accomplish off the court,” Wozniacki said. “This [decision] has nothing to do with my health.”
Wozniacki plans to end her career with appearances in the WTA event in Auckland and the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of next year, which begins on Jan. 14.
She lost to Germany’s Julia Goerges in the Auckland final last year.
The crowning moment of her career came shortly afterward at Melbourne Park, where she downed Simona Halep in a dramatic three-set final, having earlier saved two match points in the second round against Jana Fett.
Wozniacki’s other two Grand Slam final appearances came at the US Open, with defeats by Kim Clijsters in 2009 and Serena Williams five years later.
Fellow players took to Twitter to congratulate Wozniacki on her career.
“Enjoy your last ride in Melbourne,” Boris Becker wrote.
French WTA player Alize Cornet tweeted: “I remember the first time we played each other for 3 and a half hours when we were 11, I can’t believe how time has flown, and how an amazing champion you’ve became.”
Fellow Fed Cup winner Kristina Mladenovic added: “Congratulations on an absolutely amazing career @CaroWozniacki So many great things to come.. wishing you & David only the best!”
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