Caroline Wozniacki Dominates in US Open Opener, Hints at Possible Season Farewell
Photo credit: Brad Penner/US Open/USTA
NEW YORK—Former World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki made a powerful statement in her US Open opener, overwhelming Nao Hibino with a 6-0, 6-1 victory in just 53 minutes on Tuesday. Swarming the baseline, Wozniacki left little room for the Japanese qualifier to breathe, securing seven consecutive games and advancing to the second round, where she’ll face Mexico’s Renata Zarazua.
This US Open is likely Wozniacki’s final tournament of the year and possibly the last of her career. While she hasn’t made a definitive decision, the 2018 Australian Open champion suggested that this may be her farewell appearance.
“I honestly don’t know what my plans are after the Open right now,” Wozniacki shared 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.”
When asked if this 15th Flushing Meadows appearance might be her final farewell, Wozniacki remained non-committal: “For this year, for now, yeah [it’s my final tournament]. 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.”
With 30 career titles under her belt, Wozniacki’s last Tour-level championship came in 2018 at Beijing. Though she hasn’t reached a tournament semifinal since her comeback from maternity leave in 2023, Wozniacki has proven she can still compete with the best, having reached the US Open fourth round and the Indian Wells quarterfinals this year.
“I think I’m playing well. I think if my body holds up, I can play on a very high level,” Wozniacki said. “My expectation going into this comeback was to give it my all and work hard every single match. I feel like I’ve done that, so I’m really proud of that.”
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