Caroline Wozniacki set for sensational rankings rise after Indian Wells wins
Caroline Wozniacki could be set for a spectacular rise up the WTA Rankings after impressive performances at the WTA 1000 event at Indian Wells.
Mother of two Wozniacki was handed a wildcard to play in the tournament as her current ranking is down at No 204 after she came out of retirement last year.
The former world No 1 and 2018 Australian Open champion has shown flashes of brilliance since making her comeback, with her run to the fourth round of last year’s US Open suggesting she could still be a threat at the top of the men’s game at the age of 33.
Looking supremely hit and stirring the ball with real venom on Indian Wells, Wozniacki has moved into the last 16 after impressive wins against China’s Lin Zhu and Croatia’s Donna Vekic, before beating fellow wild card Katie Volynets 6-2 4-, 6-0.
With so many ranking points up for grabs in these premier WTA tournaments, those two wins have already propelled Wozniacki up to No 148 in the live rankings.
A meeting with Germany’s Angelique Kerber beckons in the last-16 and a potential meeting with world No 1 Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals would be the ultimate test for Wozniacki.
“I’m just happy to be out there competing and playing and playing in front of a nice crowd, and on big courts,” said Wozniacki.
“That’s kind of where my mindset is. Doesn’t matter to me who is on the other side. I’m going to try my best and try and perform at the highest level that I possibly can.”
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Wozniacki also reflected on her new mindset, as she looks to have a second career in tennis after some time away from the court starting a family.
Her children are travelling with her on the WTA Tour and she believes the collective experience will help her to thrive on court.
“I think you just get a different perspective. I know it sounds like a cliché,” she added.
“Having kids and being there for them and being their role model and it just means everything to me, you know, being a mom. It’s the best thing in the world. It’s hard. It’s definitely hard work, but it’s so rewarding. It’s incredible.
“To be able to play here with them (her children) and having them travel and see the world, it’s really cool to be able to live out my dreams. I think it’s just a much different perspective.
” I don’t have to be here. I’m here because I love to be here. You know, I’m lucky enough that I have been given some wildcards so I’m able to play these big tournaments and compete against the best players in the world.
“So for me, you know, obviously I want to win, I’m a competitor, I’m very competitive, and I believe in myself and my game, but it’s a different — it’s not as stressful, you know. I’m out there. I know that if I play my best tennis, I can beat anyone, but if I don’t play my best, I can also lose.
“I think, for me, it’s just trying to be out there and competing the same exact way that I have been practising. You know, trying to stay healthy is the main thing.
“I feel like I still have some great tennis in me. I am very passionate about tennis, and I love competing, I feel like I can still beat the best players in the world when I play my best.
“That’s why I’m here and why I want to be here. That’s why, you know, it definitely would be, quote, unquote, easier to sit at home, but this is very rewarding, and as long as I can do this and feel good and body feels good, then I love what I do.”
