A FORMER world number one, Carolina Wozniacki retires from top-level tennis with a heap of accolades spanning her elite 15 year career. The Danish superstar retired from tennis early on in 2020, and fittingly finished off on her own terms following the Australian Open and prior to when the tennis world was brought to a standstill because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While Wozniacki was not necessarily yet considered a veteran of the sport, retiring at age 29, she certainly had no shortage of big moments throughout her time in the spotlight, having spent 71 weeks as the WTA world number one when she was just 20-years-old, and winning titles in eight straight seasons from 2008-2018.

Wozniacki collected her final three career titles in 2018 and consistently maintained a top 40 ranking up until her retirement back in late January. Three times in top spot on the rankings saw Wozniacki continue to outlast her opposition, with her maiden Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park in 2018 showcasing her ability to adapt her game time and again.

A 70 per cent winning rate on Tour across her career showcased Wozniacki’s continued determination and ability to contend with younger players coming up the ranks, with her defensive attributes standing out. Ultimately, the Danish talent would be more than capable of continuing her tennis journey but is leaving close to the top of her game with a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) diagnosis in 2018 speeding up her decision to retire. 

“It’s definitely [been] very challenging,” Wozniacki said in an interview with The Guardian in January. “I love going to the gym, I love being active, so it’s something I’m always going to do. I hope I can inspire a lot of people and if I can even help a few people, I’ve already done my part. “But I hope I can inspire and help a lot of people, and educate a lot of people as well, because RA is something that not a lot of people are very familiar with. “I had no idea what I was getting myself into, what was happening, so if I can help someone that was as confused as I was, that would mean a lot to me.”

But Wozniacki is adamant that her diagnosis is not the reason for retirement, instead stating on social media that she has greater priorities now that she hopes to accomplish off the court.

“That’s the great thing about being an athlete, once you stop, there are always new people coming up and taking your spot, you can live a normal life, you can live a family life and have the best of both worlds, having your time in the spotlight but also just doing normal stuff.”

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Caroline Wozniacki – Career Summary:

Wins: 633
Losses: 263
Win-loss percentage: 71%

Grand Slams: 

Titles: 1 (Australian Open, 2018)
Runner-up: 2 (US Open, 2009/2014)
Wins: 120
Losses: 51
Win-loss percentage: 70%

Career Titles: 30

4 – New Haven (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
3 – Tokyo (2010, 2016, 2017)
2 – Beijing (2010, 2018), Copenhagen (2010, 2011), Eastbourne (2009, 2018), Ponte Vedra Beach (2009, 2010)
1 – Australian Open (2018), Brussels (2011), Charleston (2011), Dubai (2011), Hong Kong (2016), Indian Wells (2011), Istanbul (2014), Japan Open (2008), Kuala Lumpur (2015), Luxembourg (2013), Montreal (2010), Moscow (2012), Seoul (2012), Stockholm (2008), WTA Finals (2017)