Caroline Wozniacki to retire after Australian Open

Dane won 30 WTA singles titles and the 2018 Australian Open

Caroline Wozniacki has announced she plans to retire from professional tennis after the 2020 Australian Open.

The former world number one and grand slam winner has endured a string of injuries and played just 35 matches this year.

Wozniacki, who has won 30 WTA singles titles, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and battled autoimmune disease prior to the 2018 US Open.

However, she insisted the decision is not due to her health and that she has realised ”there is a lot more in life to accomplish off the court”.

“I’ve played professionally since I was 15 years old,” she wrote on Instagram. “In that time I’ve experienced an amazing first chapter of my life. With 30 WTA singles titles, a world #1 ranking for 71 weeks, a WTA Finals victory, three 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 realised 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 this 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 heart, 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 have done this!”