Caroline Wozniacki hopes to be “back again” as she confirmed why she had withdrawn from this year’s Australian Open.
Former world No 1 Wozniacki withdrew from the first Grand Slam of the year in the weeks building up to the tournament, though did not make an official announcement.
The Dane was still in Melbourne, bringing the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup onto the Rod Laver Arena during a presentation ceremony on the opening day of the tournament.
Speaking to Eurosport, the 2018 champion revealed that her ongoing battle with rheumatoid arthritis had left her struggling physically in the build-up to the tournament.
That led to her withdrawal, though she shut down rumours of a second retirement by confirming her intention to get back onto court later this year.
She said: “My body was not feeling great. When I started pre-season training I was struggling with my body a little bit.
“I have rheumatoid arthritis so it’s been an ongoing battle but I am hoping with a little break I will be back again soon.”
After two previous US Open final defeats, Wozniacki finally captured her sole Grand Slam title at the Australian Open seven years ago, beating Simona Halep in a three-set thriller.
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She revealed her battle with rheumatoid arthritis later that year and retired from tennis at the Australian Open in 2020.
Wozniacki memorably defeated Kristie Ahn and 23rd seed Dayana Yastremska to reach the third round before a loss to Ons Jabeur, after which she had an on-court presentation ceremony.
However, after welcoming two children with husband David Lee, Wozniacki stunned the tennis world but announcing her intention to return in 2023.
The Dane made her comeback at the 2023 Canadian Open and then also played the Cincinnati Open, before reaching the fourth round of the US Open – losing to eventual champion Coco Gauff.
Wozniacki played 29 matches in 2024, holding a 16-13 record for the season.
The highlights of her season included a run to the last eight in Indian Wells and a return to the second week of the US Open, where she was beaten in the fourth round by Beatriz Haddad Maia.
However, the 34-year-old did not play after action in Flushing Meadows last season, and her withdrawal from the Australian Open led some to believe she was retiring for the second time.
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Caroline Wozniacki, the former world number one and Grand Slam champion, has put an end to retirement rumours swirling around her by revealing the real reason for her withdrawal from the upcoming Australian Open.
In a recent statement, Wozniacki confirmed that she will not be competing in the first Grand Slam of the year due to health concerns. The Danish tennis star explained that she has been struggling with rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes joint pain and inflammation.
Wozniacki, who announced her retirement from professional tennis in 2019, has been dealing with the condition for several years but has managed to continue playing at a high level. However, the 31-year-old decided to prioritize her health and well-being by taking a break from competitive tennis.
“I have been battling with rheumatoid arthritis for some time now, and it has become increasingly difficult to manage while trying to compete at the highest level,” Wozniacki said in a statement. “I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the Australian Open to focus on my health and recovery.”
Despite the setback, Wozniacki remains optimistic about her future in tennis and is not ready to call it quits just yet. She emphasized that she is not retiring and plans to return to the WTA Tour when she is feeling better.
“I am not retiring from tennis. I love this sport and will do everything I can to get back on the court and compete again,” Wozniacki added. “I want to thank my fans and supporters for their understanding and continued support. I will be back stronger than ever.”
Fans around the world have expressed their support for Wozniacki and wish her a speedy recovery. The tennis community is looking forward to seeing the former champion back in action and competing at the highest level once again.
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