Likely Done After US Open

By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Photo credit: Brad Penner/US Open/USTA

NEW YORK—Swarming the baseline, Caroline Wozniacki gave Nao Hibino little breathing room today.

An oppressive Wozniacki sped through seven straight games dismissing the Japanese qualifier 6-0, 6-1 in a lopsided US Open first-round win.

Evert on Doping: I Think They Protect the Top Players

The 53-minute thrashing sent Wozniacki into the second round clash vs. Mexico’s Renata Zarazua—and brought the Dane one match closer to the end of her season and possibly end of her career.

While she hasn’t yet made a final decision, Wozniacki said this US Open is likely her last tournament of the season and possibly her tournament farewell.

“I honestly don’t know what my plans are after the Open right now,” Wozniacki told the media in New York. “My initial thought is I’m probably not going to play after, but I don’t know. I don’t have a final say.

“Again, wherever I travel, I’m going to go with the kids, and I also have to see what’s best for the family and myself.”

Asked if this 15th Flushing Meadows appearance is indeed her final farewell, the 2018 Australian Open champion was non-commital.

“For this year, for now, yeah [it’s my final tournament],” Wozniacki said. “Again, I don’t know what the future brings, but for now, I’m focusing on here and then I’m going to make the next decisions then.”

The owner of 30 career titles, Wozniacki’s last Tour-level championship came at the 2018 Beijing. Though she hasn’t reached a tournament semifinal since launching her comeback from maternity leave at the 2023 Montreal, Wozniacki reached the 2023 US Open fourth round and the Indian Wells quarterfinals last March. She believes her best level can be competitive with today’s top players.

“I think I’m playing well. I think if my body holds up, I can play on a very high level,” Wozniacki said. “So, you know, my expectation going into this comeback was to give it my all and work hard and play my hardest every single match. I feel like I’ve done that, so I’m really proud of that.”