Caroline Wozniacki has announced her retirement from tennis – and will finish her professional career after the Australian Open. The 29-year-old from Denmark made the announcement today on Twitter, after 14 years of being a pro.
The Dane, who won the Australian Open in 2018, is only 29 and does not turn 30 until July next year.
But she has decided Melbourne, the scene of her greatest career triumph, will also be the scene of her final act.
Wozniacki wants to start a family with husband and former NBA star David Lee, while travelling the world raising awareness about rheumatoid arthritis.
In a Twitter note she wrote: “I’ve played professionally since I was 15 years old. In that time I’ve experienced an amazing first chapter of my life.
“With 30 WTA singles titles, and a world 1 ranking for 71 weeks, a WTA Finals victory, 3 Olympics, including carrying the flag for my native Denmark and winning the 2018 Australian Open Grand slam championship, I’ve accomplished everything I could ever dream of on the court.
“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. In recent months, I’ve realized that there is a lot more in life that I’d like to accomplish off the court.
“Getting married to David was one of those goals and starting a family with him while continuing to travel the world and helping raise awareness about rheumatoid arthritis (project upcoming) are all passions of mine moving forward.
“So with that, today I am announcing that I will be retiring from professional tennis after the Australian Open in January.
“This has nothing to do with my health and isn’t a goodbye, I look forward to sharing my exciting journey ahead with all of you!.
“Finally, I want to thank with all my hear, the fans, my friends, my sponsors, my team, especially my father as my coach, my husband and my family for decades of support.
“Without all of you I could have never done this!”
The moves comes out of the blue but she did struggle in the Grand Slams this year, failing to get beyond the third round.
Her only Grand Slam title came at Australia in 2018 when she beat Slovakian Magdalena Rybarikova.
She has earned $35,218,415 on the court.
