Caroline Wozniacki announces she's retiring from tennis
After nearly 15 years as a professional tennis player, Caroline Wozniacki is retiring from the sport.
"I’m ready to move on to the next chapter in my life," Wozniacki, 29, said Friday on "Good Morning America." "Australian Open 2020 is going to be my last tournament."
It was at the Australian Open in 2018 that Wozniacki, who also wrote about her retirement on social media, won her lone Grand Slam title, defeating top seed Simona Halep.
Since turning pro in 2005, Wozniacki currently ranked number 37 in the world, has won 30 Women’s Tennis Association singles titles and was runner-up at the 2009 US Open and the 2010 WTA Tour Championships.
Now she says she wants to focus more on her life and goals off the court.
Wozniacki married former NBA star Daniel Lee in June in Italy. Her competitor and close friend Serena Williams was one of Wozniacki's bridesmaids.
"It’s obviously a decision I’ve thought about for a long time. I just got married this year so that’s exciting and ... there are so many other things I’d like to do off the court," Wozniacki said. "I’ve always thought when there are other things I’d want to do more it’s just time to be done."
"It just felt right in my heart," she added. "It’s never going to be an easy decision when you’ve done this your whole life but it just feels right. I’m ready for it."
Wozniacki explained that she also wanted to go out at the top of her game, when she still had a passion for tennis. She described her family and friends, including her dad who serves as her coach, as being "thrilled" with her decision.
"You know that a sports career is only so long and so we all knew there was going to come an end eventually. I think the timing was right," she said. "I still feel like I can beat anyone."
"I wanted to finish at a time when I still felt great. I love the sport and when I leave I still want to love the sport and feel the passion for it," Wozniacki explained.
Wozniacki is currently studying at Harvard Business School and has an interest in fashion.
She ran the New York City Marathon last month and said she also hopes to continue to be an advocate for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Wozniacki revealed in 2018 that she had been diagnosed with RA, an autoimmune disease that causes swelling and pain in and around the joints, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
"Obviously raising awareness is very important," said Wozniacki, who said she plans to launch a health education program around RA next year. "The average time being diagnosed for immune disease is around seven years and it’s all about finding out early so you don’t get these crazy flare-ups."
"When I’ve been at my worst you can’t get out of bed, it’s that much pain," she said. "But being in a great state now, I feel healthy. I feel good. Maybe I’ll run another marathon, who knows."
