DUBAI // A 24-year-old former World No 1 who has never lifted a grand slam title trophy, an example of the notion on-court rivals in fact can be off-court friends, and a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model who devours chocolates so keenly Godiva pay her to do so, Caroline Wozniacki is rewriting the rule book.
The Danish right-hander, who faces a first-round meeting with Samantha Stosur on Tuesday in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, has amassed additional appeal since reaching the US Open final for the second time last August.
The confectionery deal, for example, was unconventional – she is the chocolatier’s first sports endorser.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Wozniacki’s endorsement deals with Adidas, Babolat and Rolex bring in about Dh36.7 million each year, and it is easy to understand the commercial attraction.
Formerly engaged to world No 1 golfer Rory McIlroy, Wozniacki is affable and grounded, often discussing her love of Liverpool Football Club or hanging with best friend Serena Williams, the women’s world No 1.
While some players can travel on the WTA tour for years without experiencing the different surroundings, Wozniacki made her sandboarding debut on arrival in Dubai, calling it “fun” and “different” and posting images to her 800,000-plus Twitter followers.
It is of little surprise local tournament organisers describe her as a joy to work with.
“I decided a few years back that I am just going to take advantage of the places I visit,” Wozniacki said yesterday. “You might get injured tomorrow or you might not want to play. You only live once, and it would be sad if you spend so many years on tour and don’t get to see and experience anything.”
While Serena Williams and sister Venus are still going strong deep into their 30s, Wozniacki said she is unlikely to still be competing at such an age.
She said, though, that “Serena spoke to me and said ‘When I was your age I said the same thing and look where I am now’ ”.
Wozniacki, back in world’s top five after a resurgent second half of 2014, lost to Victoria Azarenka in the second round of last month’s Australian Open and insists when the day comes when she no longer enjoys playing, she will not hesitate to hang up her racquet. She has already been on the WTA Tour for 10 years.
“Right now, I am doing it day by day and tournament by tournament,” she said. “I enjoy playing; I love the game. I am in a great position where I don’t have to play if I don’t want to, but I do because I have the passion. Once that passion goes away then that’s when I would decide. Or it can be the injuries, you never know. This is really a tough game for the body.”
Wozniacki has been friends with the Williams sisters for several years, but her relationship with Serena bloomed last season as the two enjoyed holidays together in the Bahamas and Miami Beach.
With Williams withdrawing from this week’s $2.5m (Dh9.2m) event, Wozniacki, seeded third, is looking to eclipse the three successive semi-final appearances she has achieved at the Aviation Club and return to the winning form that saw her take the title in 2011. She has not entered a tournament ranked inside the top five since March 2012.
“Every time I go out there I want to give it my best,” she said. “I had a great half of the year last year and I am just going to try and repeat it this year. The ranking comes when you play well and it is nice to be back in the top five. It has been a while.”
gmeenaghan@thenational.ae
Follow us on twitter at @NatSportlUAE
