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Karolina Woźniacka będzie największą gwiazdą rozpoczynającego się 1 stycznia turnieju WTA International na kortach twardych w Auckland. Dunka chce dobrze wejść w nowy sezon i w końcu wygrać nowozelandzkie zawody.

Agnieszka Radwańska wylądowała w Auckland. Polka czeka na losowanie
W zeszłym roku Karolina Woźniacka przyleciała do Auckland razem z Sereną Williams, która skupiła na sobie uwagę wszystkich dziennikarzy. Tym razem to Dunka jest największą gwiazdą turnieju ASB Classic, gdyż jest aktualną trzecią rakietą świata i triumfatorką Mistrzostw WTA 2017. - Byłam bardzo szczęśliwa z tego, jak zakończyłam poprzedni sezon. To był znakomity finisz wspaniałego roku - powiedziała na lotnisku.
Woźniacka dotarła do finału zawodów ASB Classic w 2015 roku, ale nie wygrała wtedy całej imprezy, gdyż lepsza w trzech setach była Venus Williams. - Uwielbiam zaczynać sezon w Auckland, dlatego świetnie jest tutaj powrócić. Nigdy nie wygrałam tego turnieju i wspaniale byłoby dokonać tego tym razem - przyznała była numer jeden światowego rankingu.


Odnośnie klasyfikacji WTA, to Dunka może wrócić na tron już po pierwszym tygodniu sezonu 2018. Aby tak się stało, musi wygrać turniej i liczyć na porażkę Simony Halep przed ćwierćfinałem w Shenzhen oraz na potknięcie Garbine Muguruzy przed fazą finałową w Brisbane. - Szczerze mówiąc, to tak naprawdę zbyt wiele o tym nie myślałam. Staram się po prostu jak najlepiej przygotować, aby spróbować wygrać turniej. Co będzie potem, zobaczymy - zakończyła Woźniacka.

A maiden Grand Slam title that meant so much to both players could, sadly, only belong to one. Caroline Wozniacki is the 2018 Australian Open champion after an enthralling battle between two great baseline warriors ended 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 6-4 with raw emotion from both players, but at brave Simona Halep’s expense.

In hot and humid conditions on Rod Laver Arena, a match that lasted two hours and 49 minutes was not just a test of tennis, and nerve, but of courage and will. The first major women’s final in the Open era between two women who had saved match points to get there was decided on the first with a netted Halep backhand.

Wozniacki, twice a US Open runner-up, flung her racquet into the air and fell sobbing to the court. How much it meant to her, and how utterly devastating for Halep, a two-time French Open finalist, to have lost.

The Romanian top seed buried her head in a towel as Wozniacki climbed up to her player box to greet a team that included her father and coach Piotr, and fiance David Lee. Only three women have made more Grand Slam appearances before winning a title than Wozniacki’s 43.

But what a momentous staying effort, too, from Halep, having saved match points in two different matches en route to the final: three in that record-equalling epic against Lauren Davis and two in the 9-7 semifinal thriller against Angelique Kerber two days earlier.

The type of contest many had expected was perhaps even better than that, for the quality was outstanding, and how little between them summed up by a total points tally of 110 to 108.

The No.1 ranking was also on the line but that was not the main prize. Both had been there or, in Halep’s case, carried the number into the final. There was a $4 million cheque as well, but it was all about the title. Everything to do with shrugging off the gorilla on the shoulders that was a zero in the column for the number of Grand Slams.

Nevertheless, Wozniacki’s bonus is that she will on Monday return to the summit for the first time in exactly six years, a WTA record gap, having spent 67 weeks there from 2010-12. Always, though, there was the caveat that she had not won a Slam. Now, at the age of 27, she has.

“I’m sorry, I’m just taking a second here to hug Daphne,’’ said Wozniacki, WTA trailblazer Billie Jean King having presented the trophy named for the late Daphne Akhurst, 50 years after her own triumph on the Kooyong lawns.

“I’ve dreamt of this moment for so many years and to be here today is a dream come true. My voice is shaky. I never cry, but today it’s a very emotional moment.’’

She paid generous tribute to Halep, acknowledging it was a tough day for the top seed. “I’m sorry I had to win today,’’ Wozniacki said, referencing her opponent’s “incredible fight”. She also thanked her father and fiance, admitting she had been a “nervous wreck in the morning who needed some calming down.

Halep admitted it was "not easy to talk right now", but congratulated Wozniacki for an "amazing match. "It's been a great tournament for me,'' she said. "I started not very well with an ankle injury. Of course I'm sad I couldn't win today but Caroline was better than me.''

She thanked her team, including Australian coach Darren Cahill. "It's tough work every day. Thanks for being by my side. Sad I couldn't make it the third time, but maybe the fourth time I will have luck.''

Tennis-wise, Wozniacki’s victory was built on fabulous retrieving, as ever, a marvellous backhand, as usual, and a stronger serve, which is a more recent development but a significant one. Her forehand wobbled in the third set in particular, but her resolve did not.

History was perhaps the best measure of how important the first set would be, for the winner in 42 of the past 45 women’s Slam finals was the player who drew first blood. The last exception was at the 2017 French Open, where Halep looked to be headed to victory over Jelena Ostapenko, only to lose it in the three crushing sets.

It was critical that she held onto her serve in the third game of the second set, Halep saving four break chances in an 18-point duel that lasted close to 11 minutes.


The world No.1 had been playing with a sore ankle after twisting it in the opening round, but when she called for a trainer at 3-2 it was for a blood pressure check. As the clock ticked towards 9pm, the thermometer still showed 30 degrees, the humidity still extreme, and ice needed by both players to chill more than just the courtside drinks.

Physically, the bulldog Wozniacki was looking stronger. Halep had spent more time on court - 11 hours, 31 minutes - than even Roger Federer, equalling the tournament record in for games played when taken to 48 by Lauren Davis on the middle Saturday.

A week later, she appeared to be flagging during a tight second set, and was also clutching her left thigh. Yet she somehow broke for 5-3, then saved three break-back points before and finally converting her third set point with a forehand into the open court.


Both players disappeared inside the tunnel, with the match level and one hour and 38 minutes old. With the WTA’s extreme heat rule in effect, the option of a 10-minute break was gratefully taken; when they returned, one set was the difference between glory and despair.

Halep’s second serve was deteriorating, and her frustrations rose as she was broken in the second game. She had to keep trying to shorten the points or all would be lost, and in the end it was, but no-one could question the Romanian’s fight or resolve.

She was running on fumes, looked so utterly exhausted that it was miraculous she was running at all. The first three games of the third set lasted 26 minutes, the longest of them a marathon on the Wozniacki serve that ended with a double fault. Halep was barely holding on, just 0/8 on second serve points and soon behind again. Eventually, there would be no coming back.

Wozniacki had a game point for 3-0 in the third set, but while a break down at 3-4 needed a medical timeout for treatment on a sore left knee. She returned to the court and gained an immediate break back, held her own serve then broke Halep one last time.

Roger Federer had spoken, almost wistfully, the previous night of the thrill of being a first-time winner, while not suggesting he would trade-in any of his subsequent 18. As to how many Wozniacki will finish with, that matters far little than simply the fact that there has now been a start.

How do you play 218 points in a ridiculously high-level Grand Slam tournament final and only make six backhand unforced errors for the match?

Caroline Wozniacki defeated Simona Halep 7-6(2) 3-6 6-4 to win her first Grand Slam tournament title, ascending back to the world No.1 ranking in the process. The backhand stood very, very tall.


It’s important to understand the different roles of forehands and backhands. The forehand is the sword. It does most of the attacking in our sport. The backhand is the shield. Its role is not to miss, and hopefully provide a little offence along the way.

Wozniacki’s backhand was rock-solid for the past two weeks, but somehow found another level on Saturday night on the world’s biggest stage.

How do you play 1006 points over two weeks and only commit 40 backhand unforced errors for the tournament? Please.


Of the 128 players in the draw, only two made fewer backhand unforced errors. A third of the tournament committed 10 per cent-plus backhand unforced errors, while Wozniacki only made 3.9 per cent. It’s a weird stat, but all you need to know is that we should all drop to our knees and bow in respect.

Everyone gets loose with backhands. Not Wozniacki. Not Down Under.

In the deciding third set, with Halep serving up a break at 4-3 and reaching for the finish line, it was Wozniacki’s backhand that got her back to level ground in one of the most impactful games of the final.

That game contained eight points, and every one of them was touched by Wozniacki’s spectacular backhand:

0-0: Halep made a backhand error forced from a deep cross-court Wozniacki backhand.
0-15: Wozniacki hit a backhand cross-court winner.
0-30: Wozniacki made a backhand, but sprayed a forehand long.
15-30: Wozniacki made three backhands, but misses the fourth long. Only error.
30-30: Wozniacki made two tough defensive backhands. No mistakes.
30-40: A ridiculously good backhand return extends the point.
Deuce: A backhand cross-court forced a short lob for a volley winner.
Ad Out: Wozniacki made a tough defensive slice backhand in the short rally.


Overall, Wozniacki made six backhand unforced errors for the match, while Halep committed 20. That’s a 14-point difference in a match where Wozniacki won 110 points and Halep won 108. Not much else you need to know.

When you add up winners and subtract errors (forced and unforced), Wozniacki ended up -14 on the backhand side. It doesn’t sound great, but it was significantly better than Halep’s -35 (7 winners/42 errors).

What else did Wozniacki do well that significantly contributed to victory?

In short order, nothing.

Both players won 11 points at net. Wozniacki won 60 points in the 0-4 rally length, and Halep won 58. Both players won 50 points each when a rally extended past five shots. Both got broken five times. Both hit two return winners. Wozniacki made 81 per cent (93/115) of her returns. Halep made 80 per cent (77/96).

Wozniacki’s backhand was the difference-maker. It chipped in for eight winners, and withstood a baseline barrage from Halep.

It was what made Caroline Wozniacki a Grand Slam champion.

11

The number of main-draw appearances at the Australian Open taken by Wozniacki to win the tournament, the most taken by a woman in the Open Era to lift the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup, after the nine attempts jointly taken by Kim Clijsters (2011), Li Na (2014) and Angelique Kerber (2016).

5

With her two match points saved in the first two rounds, Wozniacki becomes the fifth woman in the Open Era to save multiple match points during her run to a major title, after Martina Navratilova (3, 1986 US Open), Jennifer Capriati (4, 2002 Australian Open) Serena Williams (2, 2003 Australian Open; 3, 2005 Australian Open) and Justine Henin (2, 2005 French Open).


32

The number of games in the final, tying the match for the third-longest Australian Open women's singles final, by games played, in the Open Era, along with Serena Williams' defeat of sister Venus in the 2003 final.

The longest was 35 games in Navratilova's win over Chris Evert in the 1981 final, followed by 33 in Margaret Court's defeat of Evonne Goolagong in 1971.

3

Wozniacki is now the third woman in WTA Rankings history to win a Grand Slam title after her first appearance at the No. 1, joining Clijsters and Amelie Mauresmo.

6

The number of years, exactly, since Wozniacki last held the WTA No. 1 ranking, a position she will return to when the updated rankings are released on Monday, January 29. The Dane's return to the top spot will break Serena's record for the longest gap between stints at No. 1. (5 years, 29 days - from August 10, 2003 to September 8, 2008).

8

Halep is now the eighth woman in the Open Era to lose her first three Grand Slam finals, after Helena Sukova, Wendy Turnbull, Chris Evert, Jana Novotna, Mary Joe Fernandez, Kim Clijsters and Dinara Safina.

The Romanian is also the second woman to lose all three of those finals in a third set, joining Novotna.

58

This was the 58th women's Grand Slam final in the Open Era contested between the tournament's top two seeds, but the first in which both finalists were contesting for their first major title. It was also the first women's major final in the Open Era in which both finalists saved match points en route to the final.

Karolina Woźniacka powróciła do kraju po wielkim zwycięstwie w Australian Open 2018. Dunka nie będzie miała zbyt wiele czasu na odpoczynek, gdyż już w czwartek wystąpi w halowym turnieju WTA Premier na kortach twardych w Petersburgu.

Karolina Woźniacka zapowiedziała, że po sobotnim finale będzie się cieszyć chwilą. W niedzielę wzięła udział w specjalnej sesji zdjęciowej w królewskim ogrodzie botanicznym w Melbourne. Tenisistka z Odense pochwaliła się gratulacjami, jakie otrzymała z dworu królowej Małgorzaty II. - Dostałam życzenia nawet od rodziny królewskiej. Pogratulowali mi i bardzo się przejmowali moimi wynikami, co jest ekscytujące.
Już w niedzielę Woźniacka rozpoczęła długą podróż do domu. Na pokład samolotu wniosła Daphne Akhurst Trophy, z którym nie potrafi się rozstać. W Kopenhadze wylądowała w poniedziałkowe popołudnie i natychmiast udała się do hotelu. Media nie otrzymały informacji z miejskiego ratusza, czy planowana jest specjalna uroczystość. Aktualna liderka rankingu WTA jest pierwszą w historii Dunką z tytułem wielkoszlemowym w singlu.

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Kochanek Idealny Nicole Jordan Gdańsk
ZOBACZ WIĘCEJ
Na razie Woźniacka ma jeszcze na głowie występ w zawodach w Petersburgu. Jej ojciec Piotr powiedział, że córka poleciała do Rosji, gdyż z organizatorami turnieju wiąże ją odpowiednia umowa. W czwartek rywalką najlepszej obecnie tenisistki świata w pojedynku II rundy (w pierwszej Dunka otrzymała wolny los) będzie zdolna Rosjanka Anastazja Potapowa.

Getty Images / Michael Dodge / Na zdjęciu: Karolina Woźniacka
Karolina Woźniacka uzupełniła kalendarz startów o dwa turnieje
Rafał Smoliński Rafał Smoliński 02 Lutego 2018, 12:15
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Karolina Woźniacka wskazała dwa kolejne turnieje rangi WTA International, w których wystąpi w obecnym sezonie. Liderka światowego rankingu zaprezentuje się w Stambule oraz Waszyngtonie.

REKLAMA
Zgodnie z przepisami notowana w Top 10 tenisistka ma prawo wystąpić w trzech zawodach rangi WTA International w jednym sezonie. Karolina Woźniacka zagrała już w tym roku w nowozelandzkim Auckland. Teraz postanowiła, że wystąpi jeszcze w turniejach w Stambule i Waszyngtonie.

Dunka wygrała imprezę TEB BNP Paribas Istanbul Cup w 2014 roku. Z kolei w amerykańskiej stolicy wystąpiła tylko raz, w sezonie 2016, gdy odpadła w II rundzie po porażce z Australijką Samanthą Stosur.

Tegoroczny turniej w Stambule (korty ziemne) odbędzie się w dniach 23-29 kwietnia. Natomiast w Waszyngtonie (korty twarde) panie i panowie zagrają w dniach 30 lipca - 5 sierpnia.

Syn Davida Beckhama, Romeo, pochwalił się w mediach społecznościowych, że trenował z jedną z najlepszych tenisistek na świecie, Karoliną Woźniacką.
Bartosz Zimkowski
Bartosz Zimkowski
03 Kwietnia 2018, 11:02
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Getty Images / Clive Brunskill / Na zdjęciu: Karolina Woźniacka, mistrzyni Australian Open 2018

15-letni Romeo Beckham najwyraźniej woli tenis od piłki nożnej. Na jego profilu na Instagramie często pojawiają się zdjęcia z kortu, a nie z boiska. Teraz pochwalił się, że trenował z Karoliną Woźniacką.



Nie było to jednak pierwsze spotkanie Romeo Beckhama z gwiazdą światowego tenisa. Dzięki kontaktom swoich rodziców miał okazję grać nawet z dwukrotnym triumfatorem Wimbledonu, Andym Murray'em.

Karolina Woźniacka przed kilkoma dniami opadła z turnieju w Miami.