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Piotr Wozniacki, the father and former coach of Carline, says he will travel with his daughter during 2014, even though Thomas Hogstedt is now coaching her.

Piotr Wozniacki had said in the fall that he wanted to spend more time at home, but apparently he will travel to Australia and other locales at the alleged insistence of his daughter and Hogstedt.

“They want me to go to Melbourne,” he told Ekstra Bladet. “They believe it is for the best. Thomas believes it is important that I occasionally help both training and competitions next year. He thinks that it is too significant a breach of Caroline if I suddenly stop completely. I have of course been at her side almost constantly the last 13-16 years, so I’m not just dispensable from one day to the next. Caroline needs my support.”

Piotr Wozniacki added that Hogstedt will be in charge of coaching.

After playing with a blacked-out racket for much of last season, Caroline Wozniacki has signed a new deal with Babolat. Wozniacki was playing with a Yonex racquet for about two years until she went into slump and then stopped playing with her frame in the late spring. She then began playing with a blacked-out racket, which many presumed was a Babolat, as she had played with one prior to signing with Yonex in 2011.

“I'm looking for a little more power, but also a little more control at the same time, such as I might get a little more spin on the ball, she told Ekstra Bladet.

Wozniacki would not reveal which Babolat frame she will play with, but she will play in the Brisbane International which begins next week.

The former No. 1 and current No. 10 is also working with new coach Thomas Hogstedt, who coached Maria Sharapova up until the summer.

Q. Could you give us a sense of the conditions and how you felt you coped with that today.
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: It was a little warm out there today. But the first set I thought I managed to keep my head cool. Every time in the changeovers, ice bags, ice towels, everything; and then in the second set I could feel they were starting to heat up even more.

I put the bottle down on the court and it started melting a little bit underneath, the plastic, so you knew it was warm.

But it was warm for both of us, and it was great that I managed to finish it off in two sets and it wasn't too long.

Yeah, just had an ice bath now. Yeah, I could go out and play another two sets now (smiling).



Q. You had a pretty good first set. Obviously the scoreline indicated that. The second set you started to make a few more unforced errors. Can you put that down to anything?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: You know, I think always a match will go up and down, but for me it was important for me to just close it out as quick as possible.

Yeah, going down a break in the second set I wasn't too pleased with myself. I was just, Okay, try, keep the focus. Try and just take one ball at a time and try and attack a little bit more.

Because once she gets time we will have long rallies and it won't be too much fun. I was just always trying to just go to the net a couple of times, trying and push her back.



Q. The second set, like it seemed that you were also trying different things. You move extremely well and have great hands. Is it hard to do different things and to believe? Because you do have the potential, the game. You would like set up so many points like you would set up and then go for the shots.
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: You always want to try and improve and try and put new things into your game and add things to your game.

It's always easy to do it in practice because if you miss a shot, it's okay. It doesn't matter.

But in a match, you know, sometimes it can be important points. You often tend to go back to what you're comfortable with. You just need to push your limits, and if you do that it will pay off.



Q. Intriguing time with a new man coaching you. Your father is here, but he isn't going to go to as many events. Thomas is full time. That's the cooperation?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, exactly. Thomas is there on court with me every day and all the time. You know, I'm very close to my family and I really like when they come out to watch me play. And, you know, I can feel a little homesick sometimes. I always enjoy having someone close to me at tournaments.

So, I mean, now when we're practicing in November and December, my parents were only there a couple of days. I only saw them leading up to Christmas basically for a few days.

But, yeah, it's really nice that they're here. Whenever they want to come, they're more than welcome, and they know that.

But, yeah, the first tournament where they I played in Sydney, they decided they preferred to be in Bora Bora, so I couldn't blame them for that (smiling).



Q. You are one of the fittest players on the tour. Do you do anything different to prepare for...
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Just drink a lot of water, take a lot of salt, eat plenty, and try and recover. I went to get an ice bath after my match, because I think it's important that the body is fully fit again for the next round.



Q. You didn't feel the conditions ever got beyond acceptable, though?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: No. I mean, I didn't faint, I didn't feel dizzy or anything. I mean, you just you know that it's going to be hot. It's Australia. You're prepared for that.

You know, at the same time you need to push yourself, because it's easy to just go, Ah, I don't want to push my myself because it's hot. It's the same for the other person, so you just need to try and pump yourself up all the time.



Q. Can you remember the toughest conditions you ever played in heat wise?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, I mean, I think it was Australia last year. If I'm not lying, I think it was 51 or 52 degrees in the shade in Sydney last year when I was playing against Kuzy, Kuznetsova. That was pretty warm.



Q. What's the toughest thing about playing in the heat for you?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I think it is that you need mentally to push yourself, you know. You need to go out for those balls. Even after a long rally you need to push yourself to keep going. Sometimes, you're like, Okay, it's baking hot. It comes from the court as well. The heat comes up.

So, you know, you just feel it all the time. Your feet are hot. You're trying to cool down. You're playing to get to that break so you can put the ice towel on you again.

Yeah, I think you just need to try and stay focused all the time.



Q. You have McHale in the next round, which has been a tough matchup for you occasionally in the past. Can you talk about what sort of challenge she will present.
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, you know, she's a good player, as well. You know, she had a tough year last year but played well at the end of the year. She's a player that likes to mix the ball up as well, likes to play topspin but then go on attack.

She has a pretty good serve; moves pretty well. So an all around player that's trying to break down your game with changing the rhythm.



Q. You mentioned on court, speaking about your personal life, that Rory picked your favorite number in karats. What is your favorite number?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I think most people know what my favorite number is. I think I have said it many times. It's also the Chinese lucky number, so it's eight.



Q. Have you talked at all about how marriage will change your travel schedules and where you might live?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: We live together now, so, I mean, it's not going to really change that much. You know, we both I think, just having that calmness off the court and just, you know, we know what we want, and it just gives us even more time to focus on our careers.

You know, obviously we always try and make our schedules fit. We have done that pretty well so far, so I don't see why it's not going to work for another how many years I want to play.

Because obviously he's going to retire later than me. Golf you can play until you're 50.



Q. You have been on the top of the game, you know, world No. 1 and you have that champion mentality. You know, things, you know, shift and, you know, you seem to be you're probably very confident that you can achieve that again or get the Grand Slam because you're very talented. You're not married yet.
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Are you trying to say when I get married it's impossible? (Smiling)

I think I'm in a very good place in my life right now, on the court and off the court. I know what I want. I want to improve all the time. I want to be the best. You know, I have achieved so much in my career already.

But at the same time, when I go on court and when I play tournaments I want to win. And, you know, if I reach that point at one time where I feel like, Okay, you know what? I don't want to push myself. You know, then I know that you can't reach the level you want.

But, you know, as far as I practice hard, I do all that I can, I push myself every day in practice, and I know that I have beaten every player out there, so I know I can do that.

For me right now I try to focus on the Grand Slams. It's tough. It's never easy. You have to win seven matches. It's always going to be some tricky opponents along the way.

But, you know, that's what I'm missing on my résumé, you know, so that's obviously what I would like to achieve.

Q. Roller coaster match. Any particular reason for the extremes?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I started off really well. I put the pressure on her, took the ball early, and I served really well. You know, she didn't put too many first serves in either. I had an opportunity to attack her second serve.

The second set I built up quite a few opportunities and possibilities. Just started missing a little bit more. You know, she started going on a roll, and that's what happened.

In the third set I was down again one nil. She had two breakpoints at 15 40, but I managed to keep fighting, keep going at it.

I managed to turn the match around.



Q. The way the sets changed, is that a worry to you?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: It's always been like that in tennis, you know. Once a set is over, you know, it's kind of a new set. You need to refocus and kind of, you know, just see what happens.

But, you know, again, it's tennis. Doesn't matter if you win the first set easy. Doesn't mean that the second set is going to be easy.



Q. How thankful were you to get to play under the roof today?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I was really, really pleased and happy about that. I was lucky to play on Rod Laver Arena. First of all, it's a great stadium. Second, I think playing out there in that heat must have been tough and very brutal.

So I'm very pleased and happy that we got to play under the roof today.



Q. Do you think the tournament needs to change anything about how they communicate with players about the heat and the rules about it or should they change the rules?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I don't know. I mean, I think they obviously try and look out for the players, as well, make sure that nothing serious happens.

You know, uhm, obviously it's hot, but it's hot for the opponent as well. You know, you just need to try and keep cool. I was watching obviously the Sharapova against Knapp match because I was playing after.

The way they were fighting till the end, I was really impressed by both players.



Q. With the sort of heat we're having consistently over five days, what sort of repercussions do you think that might have in the second week?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, I mean, I don't remember it ever being this hot so many days in a row. I think it's the first time when I'm playing that it's been like that.

Obviously, it's all about recovery, going into the ice baths, keeping cool, staying indoors as much as you can.

I think all the players are very fit, so I'm sure they recover very well.



Q. Do you feel like you're playing well enough to win the title?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I think you always believe you can win, but you still have quite a few matches to go. So I'm just thinking one match at a time.



Q. Your next match against Muguruza. You had a tough match against her in Miami. What do you think about that matchup?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, she's definitely on a roll. She won Hobart. You know, she's playing well. She's playing aggressive. Not very typical Spanish, because she goes in and attacks the ball, plays very heavy.

It's going to be a tough match, but I'm excited about it. I'm excited to have won today and be through to the third round.

Q. Do you think you let it get away? Why did it get away from you?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I had quite a lot of chances. I won the first set; was up in the second. I had breakpoints in I think the three last games she was serving. Not the last one, but I had chances to get away there and probably close the match.

You know, sometimes it happens, you just don't take your chances. I don't think I did anything particularly wrong. I thought she played some great tennis, as well. It was just a bit unlucky.

Obviously you can always look back and say you could have done this or that, but yeah.



Q. Do you sense she's at the young, starting phase where she's fearless and maybe not worried too much and hitting her shots?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, definitely she's a good player. She has beaten good players before. She's on a roll. I think we'll see a lot of her in the future definitely.



Q. Do you think Agnieszka Radwanska has a game to beat Muguruza?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Honestly, I haven't thought about it. You know, when I'm not in the tournament anymore, like it sounds rude, but I don't really look at the games anymore. I just try and focus on myself.

I think both are good players and it will be a good match.

Q. Just about the New York Marathon, any concern in the training that it could hurt your tennis training at all?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: No. I only think it can help. So, you know, I'm really excited about it. It's going to be a good and fun challenge. So, yeah, the training has been working really well for me. You know, it hasn't hurt my tennis at all.

Q. Has it helped a little bit?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, it's helped. Obviously you get into great shape. You know, mentally, as well. You have to push yourself every day and go out and, you know, work hard. So it's only a positive when you go out on the tennis court. You know you can run out there all day if you want to, if you need to.

Q. How many miles a week are you running?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: It really depends from week-to-week. This week I've cut it a little bit down because obviously I want to have all the energy I might need for these two weeks.

Q. What is your goal as far as a time in the marathon?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I have a time in mind but I don't really want to say it out loud. Honestly, I just want to finish. Most importantly, you know, I do it for charity. I just want to be a good role model for the kids that I'm running for, because we're raising money for kids that don't really have access to sports. We're starting running groups for them so that they can start to be active and get a healthier lifestyle.

Q. Can you describe what happened when your racquet and your hair met on a certain point.

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, actually it used to happen when I didn't braid my hair. That's why I started braiding it. Once it gets to a certain length sometimes it can get stuck in the arm or the racquet. It's a first, you know, when it's braided that it's been stuck that good in my racquet. You know, I still tried to hit the ball. Almost took my head off (smiling).

Q. What was going through your mind as that was happening?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I didn't know. I was like, Okay, which way is it tangled? I was trying to kind of figure it out. I was like, Maybe if I pull it, it will untangle itself. But it just didn't happen. I didn't know whether to just laugh at it or be annoyed or which emotion to have.

Q. Have you had a chance to see a replay?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, I have. It was really tangled up good. I think all my hair would have to come off first before that was going anywhere.

Q. What were your thoughts as you watched the replay?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I just laughed. We women keep it interesting.

Q. You were quoted a few days ago saying you really haven't had any conversations with your former ex. Is that still true? Did you get a good luck message at all?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I don't really think that's relevant here. I think we should just move on.

Q. How big was doing it in straight sets?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, it's nice. Obviously we have a day off tomorrow. I think we can get some rest. But, you know, I'm happy to be through in straight sets. It's nice to go through in two. She wasn't an easy opponent. She's young and hungry. She didn't have anything to lose, so she was going for her shots. I'm just happy to be through.

Q. If you were in charge of the sport and could change any rule you like, add a new rule, delete some rules, what would you choose to change?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I don't know. I like the rules. I don't think needs changed. I think it would be maybe fun if maybe when the serve, instead of calling let, maybe keep playing. I think that could maybe make it a little fun and entertaining. But, I mean, I think the rules of tennis have been there for so many years, and I think they're good as they are.

Q. What element would that add if there were no lets?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, I think you would have to be ready on anything. Obviously it would speed sometimes the game up. When you have a let it takes a few seconds to get another ball and serve again. I've had matches where I've hit let three or four times in a row. That wouldn't happen. You'd have to be on your toes. I think maybe the crowd would find it kind of funny to see those points afterwards.

Q. Can you talk about what happened with your ride to the tennis center today.

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I have to watch out what I'm saying. But I got here and I got here in time, so it's all good.

Q. You may have addressed this, but if you could describe the level of your play right now versus when you played at the US Open before, what comparison would you make?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I think it's always tough to compare. I think always you try and improve as a player. The game keeps improving in general. So many young ones coming up, as well. People start getting to know you and your game, so you always have to just adjust and just keep moving forward. You know, I think I'm a more experienced player now. I'm older. I've played this tournament many times before. I think that's definitely something that is helping once you're here for, I don't know how many years in a row. You know, it's just a great experience. I'm happy to be back, and I'm playing pretty well. Hopefully, yeah, I can keep improving as the tournament moves on.

Q. A 15-year-old player from the U.S. won yesterday.

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I saw that.

Q. What are your thoughts on a victory by a 15-year-old and what advice might you share?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, it's impressive. It's not easy. Obviously she had her head cool and she believed in herself. That's already a huge step. She's young. She's going to gain a lot of experience. You know, I think for her it's just about enjoying it. It's a great experience. She'll need that in the future years, as well. You know, it's going to go up and down in her career. But most of all I think she showed the love and the passion for the game yesterday, and she always should keep that.

Q. You've gotten to know the Grandstand pretty well this week. All three matches there. Do you like that court a lot? How has it been playing for you?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, I love this court. You know, the atmosphere's really great there. The crowd sits really close to you. I think it's an amazing court to play on. When I saw the schedule, I was really happy with getting another match there. I obviously love playing in here on Arthur Ashe, but if I couldn't get in there, I think Grandstand is a great place to be.

Q. Did you have to flip a coin today to decide who got to wear what?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: No. We're playing basically night session, so I was like, I will wear my night session dress. We'll wear something that doesn't look quite alike.

Q. Straight sets again. Do you feel you're rounding into form now that you're getting deeper and deeper into the tournament?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, I think every match I kind of get into a better groove out there and I'm playing better. It's nice to be through to the fourth round again. It's going to be another tough one, but I'm excited about it. I'm looking forward to play another match.

Q. What do you think got you this victory today? What does it mean to you?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, it means a lot to me. You know, the season for me has been a little bit up and down, and it's so nice to kind of start feeling like I'm playing the way I want to. You know, this hard court season has been amazing for me. I actually started already feeling really good on court since Eastbourne. I have just been building on my game since then. You know, today I just kept thinking to myself, Just stay in there. Try and take the initiative. It was really hard. The wind was blowing a lot from one side of the court. So you kind of had to, you know, adapt a lot.

Q. What do you think you're doing especially well that has enabled you to have this hot streak?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I'm serving well, I'm running well, I'm staying aggressive when I have to, and I make the right decisions at the right moment. And I enjoy playing.

Q. Can you compare this to three years ago when you were rolling along at No. 1 and coming in here and playing well? Is there any comparison at all?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I don't know. You know, it's a new year and I've gotten older - and hopefully a little wiser (smiling.) You know, I feel good. I feel comfortable when I play out there. The crowd was amazing today. It's just so much fun to play out there again on the big court.

Q. How would your marathon training, if any, help your tennis game?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, I think it will help me a lot. Today was a tough battle out there. It was humid; it was hot; I had to change my dress. That rarely happens. It was just soaked. Definitely it's helping, because I felt fresh out there and I felt like I could keep going.

Q. You complained to the umpire Maria takes too long. Did you feel something changed after that or did she take as long as before?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: No, I don't know. I just kept focusing, you know. I knew that I was standing against the wind, and I had to really hit through the ball for it to do any damage to her, you know. I kept my head cool and just kept going.

Q. How were you able to turn around the match in that third set? It was pretty remarkable after what we saw in the second set. Was it a mental thing? Was it what you were doing physically? Explain what happened there.

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I think a bit of everything. I think the first two sets both of us maybe didn't play to our best. Well, she played really well in the second set. She went in and started attacking me, and I came a little bit too far behind the baseline. Even when I was standing with the wind I was a little bit more hesitant. By the end of the second set I just thought to myself, Try to hit through the ball. Just go for your shots. You know, prepare yourself for the third set. You know, when we had that break and I went -- I said, Okay, win or lose, I'm going to go for my shots. I'm going to go for it. This is the only chance I have to win. If I'm going to lose, at least I'm going to do it with dignity, you know, (laughter).

Q. How does this victory rank in your career? Is it up there among the victories that you have had? Of course you have been a finalist here back in 2009.

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, definitely it ranks up there. Maria obviously is a tough competitor. She's won here before. She won the French Open this year. You know, it was a really good win for me. Beating her here at the US Open, you know, it's a tough task. I'm really happy to be through and have another chance to play in the next round.

Q. What's the charity you're running for?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I'm running for Team For Kids, which is a charity to get kids into sports. We start running groups for them so that they can get a healthy lifestyle and set goals for themselves and kind of get together and get sports into their lives.

Q. Way back when you did all that training with boxing and then obviously you were around the golf world for quite a while and now the marathon, in a word, what do you learn from each of those three and which of those three benefits tennis the most?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, I think it's very different. You know, now I'm running the marathon. It's hard work. You know, I run a lot already in my training, so to put those extra miles in, I think it helps my head. Kind of clears my head. I feel more free when I go on court. The boxing, I love the boxing. It's so tough. You know, I always get killed during that training, but, you know, it makes me stronger and I know I can push myself really far. You know, the golf is obviously a mental sport. Sometimes it's the small putts that can make a huge difference. You make a few putts here and there. Again, same with tennis. You make a ball here, there. You know, important points, those are the ones that count.

Q. Were you particularly proud to go out today with a really aggressive winner today? Feel particularly good on match point?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, definitely. You know, I knew that I had to go for my shots again, especially on match points. I knew that I had two chances. I was just going to go for it.

Q. With the number of seeds dropping on the women's side, are you aware of that as you go on court? I know you're not looking past Maria, but in the back of your head is there just some thought as to this is a huge opportunity for all of us?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: No, not really. I mean, the depth of the women's game now is so high, you know. The level is high. So it's never easy. I knew that I had Maria, so that was my task to kind of complete. I didn't really look further to that. I know I'm playing Sara Errani. Obviously now there are only a few players left so I kind of know who is in my half. It's never easy. It's always easy on paper but never easy in reality. If it was, then all of us would be sitting here as No. 1 in the world and plenty of Grand Slam titles in our pockets. Unfortunately, it's not that easy.

Q. Setting aside the stage of it being a major, you've played a great summer. Did it feel like with this win over Maria, was this what you needed to maybe show yourself, show others, whatever, where you are and how well you're playing right now?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, I have had a great summer. And I told Serena I'm pretty tired of her. Twice she beat me in three sets. I said, Can you just get out of my way? We just laugh about it. This one was a great win for me. Maria, again, is a good player. For me, I think mentally as well to get that in my pocket is kind of nice. You know, I still have hopefully a few good matches in me here in this tournament. It's just exciting to be in the quarters once more.

Q. Have you been training for the marathon here? How long was your last long run?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: You know, I have to say that I feel really guilty because the last few days I have told myself I better just cut down on my running. I have a pretty big tournament here that I kind of want to try and win (laughter). So I actually haven't been running that much. But I'm staying here, staying in New York after the tournament. I'm going to go to the New York Fashion Week, and I'm definitely going to run quite a bit in Central Park after the tournament and keep up my running. I feel the marathon breathing down my neck, and it's like I know that I need to keep preparing. I felt like I ran quite a bit out there in my match, so I think that's decent preparation.

Q. I guess you have spoken to physiologists who have kind of cleared you to run for the marathon. It's tough on the body and the joints, particularly on-the-road running. What have they told you about that aspect tennis-wise?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: To be honest, tennis is tough on your body. I think all of us wake up every morning and something is hurting. You know, we play on hard courts so much and it takes a beating. But at the same time, I have done a lot of running. I do a lot of running in my training anyway. So I think my team looked and said, Look, she's so excited about this. She's doing it for charity. She's so pumped about it. So they just said, Go for it. You only live once. You know, tick off as many things on your bucket list as possible. They're happy for me.

Q. Was there some moments past couple of years when you were in doubt you could come back at this level?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: No. I never doubt myself. I work hard every day. I know I have the levels to compete against anybody, and I can beat anyone on a good day. But as I said, the women's game is really evolving and it gets tougher and tougher.

Q. Maria said that you built on the strength that you have always had in your game as a retriever, but now perhaps you're more consistent at that. What's your evaluation of your greatest strengths right now and how you built on them?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I think my greatest strength is I can go from defense to offense and offense to defense. You know, I think I have done a good job these last few months, you know, finding that balance between those two. I think I have served really well and returned well. So I think that's my biggest strength. And I never give up. You know, even when it looks impossible for me to get to a ball, I'm still gonna try.

Q. What do you think will be the key against Sara Errani?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: It's going to be a completely different opponent. She's not going to miss very much. I will need to stay aggressive and try and, you know, just go for my shots.

Q. You said that you are going to be here during fashion week. Who are some of your favorite fashion designers?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I have quite a few, but I'm going to go definitely to the Michael Kors show. Serena is having a first fashion show, so I'm going to go and support her and see. You know, she's obviously doing a great job with her designs, as well. Stella McCartney is one of my favorite designers, but she isn't going to be here at the New York Fashion Week. She's going to be in Paris. Yeah, that's just a couple of them. But I have so many that I would like to go see.

Q. When you were complaining that Maria was delaying in that third set, did you have a sense that you were fitter than her and that was going to help you to not let her in on extra points?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: No, I don't know. The wind obviously was a big factor today. I thought that the wind isn't going to die down. We might as well, you know, keep playing.

Q. Elephant in the room question: You were involved in a high profile relationship; didn't work out. Has that given you more determination? Your ex has said how great he's playing golf these days. Is that why you're playing great tennis? Make it easier to train for this marathon?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: To be honest, I don't think that's a relevant question. I'm here to play tennis and I play well. I'm just happy to be here. Whatever is happening off the court is not really relevant here.

Q. There are a lot of players that keep to themselves in the locker room. You're known for putting yourself out there and having a lot of friends on tour. Can you talk about how that impacts you during these long tournaments?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah. You know, we travel and play the same tournaments and we travel with the same women all the time. For me, you know, I have quite a few friends on the tour. I think it's fun to hang out with them. We have a great time. You know, we only live once, so I think it's all about enjoying what we do. You know, we have some great girls on the tour that, you know, just keep it even more fun to be out here. When we're on the court obviously we're competitors and all of us want to win, but, you know, when we're off the court we just have a good time and go out for dinners and talk about different stuff (smiling).

Q. Having been No. 1 in the world, you are of course a very complete player. But you're also called as a counterpuncher. Against Errani, being a counterpuncher is not enough. You have to do different things. What do you think could be the real key? I heard what you said before, but didn't convince me too much (Laughter.)

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I don't need to convince anybody in a press conference, honestly. The only one I have to convince is out there on the court Sara is a great player. She's going to get a lot of balls back, and hopefully I will be convincing on the court on Tuesday.

Q. No, I'm joking. But before, opponent say today Errani was serving so slow that she couldn't find the ball, and with the wind. So I think it's a nice thing to think about.

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, thank you. Maybe you can be my coach, you know, (Laughter.)

THE MODERATOR: Any other tips? (Laughter.)

Q. Did you expect it could be so easy? You played so well. Did you expect to play so well, first of all?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: You know, I was just going for your tips that you gave me last time, you know. (Smiling.) But, you know, I always go out there and I believe I'm going to play well. I had a game plan in mind, and I just went for my shots. I knew that I had to be aggressive but not too aggressive, kind of find a balance between finding the opening, and then go for my shots whenever I had the balls for it.

Q. You said it's the best court in the world afterward. Do you believe that, even with all that wind?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah. I have played so well here in the past. It's such an amazing atmosphere in there. I think it's such a great place to be. It makes it tricky sometimes with the wind. I have played in some very windy conditions here, but, you know, I know how to adapt. I can adapt my game to it. It's been working out well so far.

Q. The only game when you were in trouble was the first one when you went down Love-40. What were you thinking at that moment? How did you react?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, it's the first game. You know, you kind of want to get a good start. Love-40 isn't really a good start, but it was really windy and it just took me a few serves to kind of get into the rhythm and figure out, you know, where to throw the ball and what to aim for.

Q. How would you say your game has evolved over the last, say, five years when you made the final here?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: It's definitely evolved. I'm definitely more experienced. I know my game much better. I have been in these big matches before, and, you know, I think all the time I improve. I think everybody improves and wants to try and get better. Women's tennis keeps getting stronger. So, you know, I think I keep putting things onto my game. I try and, you know, have more -- or stronger serves, better returns, you know, kind of the first few points.

Q. Do you think you're a fundamentally different player tactically now?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I think I've always been a good player tactically. I've always had a game plan going out there. That's why I have won a lot of matches.

Q. But a different game plan?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I think it always varies player to player. I don't think it's same game plans. Maybe it's just better execution.

Q. Semifinals 2011; does that feel like just yesterday? Does that feel like a lifetime ago? Somewhere in between? What's the kind of time sense to you?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: To be honest, somewhere in between. I have to say the finals feels closer than the semifinals 2011. It's weird. I don't know. I don't know. I think just because it was such a huge experience for me and it was my first really deep run in a Grand Slam. I'm just so happy to be back in this stage and having another match out there.

Q. You don't have any tip for Peng? She hasn't lost any set, and nobody made more than four games in any matches she's played. Are you surprised she's in the semifinal for the first time?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: She's been playing well. She's playing aggressively. She she's strong from both sides. She's been serving well. It's going to be a difficult match. It's going to be a different match than against Sara today. Sara runs a lot of balls down, doesn't make many mistake. Peng is closer to the baseline going for her shots more. It's going to be a hard one, but, again, it's going to fun.

Q. I know Sara's serve is not her strength, but you didn't miss a single return; put every single return in play. Can you recall when that's happened before looking at your stats?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: No, probably not. I think I learned quite a lot from Lucic the other day. She was going for every return and trying to make winners on every return. For me, that wasn't really the game plan today. It was just putting pressure on her from the start and kind of start the rally from there.

Q. You looked really confident out there. Do you feel that way?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, I feel confident and I feel comfortable out there. I have been playing well in these last few months. It's just nice that it's paying off here.

Q. What do you like particularly about that court at night? How is it different from the day?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: It's so different, because you walk out and you basically can't see the top stands. The crowd is always cheering even a little louder and it feels a little more cozy as well at the same time because it's dark around. I don't know. There is just something special about that atmosphere.

Q. Even when you were No. 1 there were a lot of commentators that said your game wasn't aggressive enough to win a Grand Slam. How hard was that to have that happening when you were still winning matches? I don't know if you took any of that to heart or listened to those critiques or rejected them.

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I just listen to myself and my coach. You know, I always try, as I said, to work hard and try and be better. So, you know, you always try and add to your game. You have to, because everyone knows how you play. You kind of have to keep playing better. You know, it will always go up and down in sports. Doesn't matter what sport you play. I'm just happy I'm on my way up again and I'm playing well.

Q. Do you feel you're proving people wrong?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I have proven people wrong so many times. I was told when I was younger there is no chance I will make the top 100, top 50, top 30. Every time I have proven them wrong. It's kind of nice. (Smiling.)

Q. Congratulations getting into the final, but certainly not the way you really want to get there. It was really hard to watch what was going on on the court.

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, it was really hard to watch for me whenever I saw her collapse on the court. You know, tennis is great, but the health is more important. You know, to see her struggling out there, I just wanted to make sure she was okay. I got the word that she's okay now and just getting cooled down, so that's great to hear. I'm in the finals, which is obviously great. It's been five years for me since my last one here, so I'm extremely happy to be back there.

Q. Did you see Peng when you went into the locker room?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: No, I haven't seen her.

Q. Did you know what the rule was regarding medical timeouts, point penalties? What was going through your mind?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I didn't know the rules. If it's just cramping then you can't have a medical, but whenever it's heat illness, then you're allowed to get treatment for it. Honestly, I was just trying to focus on myself. I knew that it looked really bad out there, so I thought maybe she was still going to be okay to play afterwards. And, you know, obviously when she was -- when she came back and still played she made a winner down the line on my return, I was like, Maybe she's going to be fine to play. But when she collapsed on the court that second time, I was like, Okay, this doesn't look very good. I wanted to go over and make sure that she was okay. I know that she's had heart surgery when she was 13, so that's definitely something that, you know, I think she was worried about, as well.

Q. You were facing a break point for about 10 minutes, which seems to be a long time to face a break point. Did that go through your mind at all?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: You know, I was just trying to focus on myself. I was thinking that she was going to come out there and be ready to play, so I was doing a lot of serves. I was just training my serve down the T, because that was the one that I wanted to do on the first point. That worked out. Then the rest of the serves didn't really work because then I made a double fault. So what was the point in training the serve when you're going to make a double fault, anyway? At the end of the day it was really tough with the wind. The wind was really behind, so sometimes I knew the toss was a little bit too much in front. Then it was hard to get it down.

Q. Was there a part of you that's thinking, Okay, they are going to call this now; she's been gone 10 minutes?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: As I said before, the health is more important. I just was hoping that she was going to be okay.

Q. What did you say to her when you walked over there? Did you say anything?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Um, I just said, Get some ice and cool her down. I think I just said, you know, I hope you'll feel better soon.

Q. What was your physical condition going into this match? How did you feel during it?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: It was hot out there. Definitely felt it. We had some grueling rallies, especially at the end of that first set. We had some really long points. I was starting to feel the sun, but I felt fine. I felt okay. I just kept having the ice towel on every changeover and tried to cool down that minute and a half we had in between the changeovers.

Q. What was hardest for you as you saw what was going on with your opponent?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, first of all, you want her to be okay. Then you also are thinking, you know, she might still be able to compete, so you have to kind of find, you know, try and think about yourself as well and just say, Okay, she might just go out there and start to hit winners. So you have to be ready for everything.

Q. You mentioned in the interview on court that you had been in bed for a couple of days. What's been the problem?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, I have been in bed. A little bit of a cold the last few days. I'm feeling much better now and have another day off tomorrow, so I'll come out firing on Sunday.

Q. Do you feel 100%?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yes, I do.

Q. There are more and more bathroom breaks, medical timeouts. You know, sometimes don't really get treatment but they decide to call it anyway. Are you content with these rules and the ambiguity that's built into some of them, or would you rather see some things change? If so, what?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I believe the best in people. I believe if you need a bathroom break you go to the bathroom. If you need treatment, you get treatment. I don't think any rules should be changed.

Q. Did you notice, late in the first set, that she was starting to get a little gassed there? Did you feel like you were stronger than her? Were you looking at her on the changeovers and saying, I feel good; she doesn't look so great?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: No, but I think mentally it's hard. It's 30 degrees Celsius out there; heat rule is in. It's hot and humid. You lose the first set, and I think that's pretty devastating in your head. You have to play another two sets out there if you want to win. For me to get that first set under my belt was really great. I felt good, and I was like, Okay, this is my match to take now. I was down 2-Love in the third ^ [sic] but managed to battle my way back into it.

Q. The trainer brought you out some medicine at some point. What was that?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I just got an Advil.

Q. More for aches or because you weren't feeling well?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: No, I was feeling fine. But as I said, I have been lying in bed for the last two days. I have been taking some Tylenol and Advil before the match and I forgot to restock.

Q. Assuming it's Serena in the final, how would you describe the opportunity and the challenge?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: She looks like she's firing out there at the moment. You know, she's obviously a great player. She's won so many Grand Slams. She's a good friend of mine. We were saying when the tournament started, we're like, Yes, we're in separate sides of the drawing, so hopefully we can meet in the finals. It would be great if that were to happen. I don't want to jinx her now, but she's obviously a tough opponent. When she's on fire, she's hard to beat. But I have had two tough matches against her the last few weeks. I was really close. Hopefully for me that would be third time's the charm.

Q. What is Serena like as a gal pal? And secondly, you had that really tough cramping incident in Doha. Just talk about cramping. Is that as excruciating a pain as you can get on court? What goes through your mind? Just talk about that if you would.

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, I had crampings in Doha few years back. Basically my whole body started cramping, and it looked like I had been shot and I had to like roll over. I fell down on the ground. I still managed to win the match somehow. I don't know how. But I didn't know -- I was on the floor and I was trying to get up. I was told that I'm not allowed to get help to get up. I'm like, every time I move a muscle I'm going to cramp. How am I going to stand up? I managed. It's painful, but, you know, I managed to pull through it. I got cooled down afterwards and was okay the next day. I just got some rest. And Serena is a fun girl. She's so nice to hang out with. Always makes me laugh and makes everyone around her laugh. Definitely a very inspiring person to be around.

Q. Actually I noticed there was nearly a tie between you and Peng Shuai on the first set; so how did you feel? What's your observation of her performance at that time?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: There's never ties in tennis, so you have to finish it off with a tiebreaker. I started off strongly and I had the wind behind me. I knew that I had to take advantage of that. I was up 5-1 whenever we switched sides, and that was great for me. To win that first set definitely was a big bonus.

Q. In Miami a few years ago you defeated Serena; you were serving really well. Now you play her very closely. You must be very confident that, you know, maybe this final might be...

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I always believe in myself when I go out to play. I definitely believe that no matter who stands on the other side of the net I can win the match. The last two times I played Serena we played really two tough three-set matches. You know, it's going to be the US Open finals. It's going to be a tough one. It's going to be exciting. Either way it's been a great tournament for me, and I hope that I can get one more win under my belt.

Q. How is your perspective on it different now than it was four years ago? With all the ups and downs in your career, returning to form now, maybe you relish the opportunity a bit more?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I have definitely learned a lot in those years. I have had more matches under my belt. I have learned more about myself. But also going out to the finals back then against Kim I knew that it was going to be really tough. I didn't know what to expect, what to expect from my nerves. She had been out there before. So this time it's going to be different. I hope that I'll have more experience. I hope that I'll go out there and just go for it. I have nothing to lose. I have only things to win. It's one more match, and I'm going to take it as any other match. I know it's going to be difficult, but it's going to be so much fun to be out there.

Q. What would it mean to you to be US Open champion?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: It would mean so much to me. I have been close before, but, you know, it's obviously a Grand Slam final. I would love to win it and have a Grand Slam under my belt. It would definitely have the media stop talking about my lack of a Grand Slam, so that would be nice. (Laughter.)

Q. Lighter question. That terribly out-of-tune group of guys sings Sweet Caroline; do you embrace that? What goes through your mind?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I do, yeah. It's fun. It's nice. It's great.

Q. Lighten you up?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: It does. It's nice to have a big support group out there. I have heard the Sweet Caroline song quite a few times, and especially here. So it's just a bit of fun.

Q. How much do you feel New York, New Yorkers, are embracing you?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I love New York. I think the crowd really has taken me to them and I feel the support out there. I feel the love. It's amazing to be out there. I'm excited to have another match out there on Sunday.

Q. Like the whole friendship thing, is it overplayed? Does it have any impact on you? Being friends with someone you play make it difficult or make it easier?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I have quite of few friends on tour. For me, I'm pretty good at separating the things on the court and off the court. It's definitely going to be a huge match on Sunday. The friendship, while we are on court, is put aside. We are both competitors. She has to win obviously, but, you know, it will be put aside and we will just be out there and fighting for every point. After the match, one of us is going to congratulate the other and we're going to be friends again. It's fine.

Q. You have played friends at big events and small events. Do you find it's harder at a bigger event to play a friend?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: No, not really. I just go out there and I just want to win.

Q. When Serena is on her game, what are your thoughts about whether she's beatable?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, when she's on her game it's not fun to play her. You know, she's so strong. She has a good serve and she puts pressure on you straightaway. You know, today I went out there and I was a little nervous. I had a game plan in mind, but it was kind of difficult at the start. I tried to push her back, but that really didn't work for me. She really just stepped in and she was playing aggressive. She was playing better than me today.

Q. (Indiscernible over photographers.)

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I was a little nervous going out there. When you walk into the stadium and people are screaming so loud you can't hear what you're thinking yourself, so it's kind of overwhelming. But it's such a cool experience. I just wanted to get a good start. I knew that against Serena, you have to have a good start, otherwise she starts going in and being even more aggressive. You know, you're kind of done. So, you know, I didn't get the start I wanted. Then all of a sudden see myself going behind and it's tough to get back.

Q. It was one of the sweetest Grand Slam finals I have seen between two women in a while, minus a lot of the drama. The two of you are friends. How much harder does it make it? And you're a class act.

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Thank you.

Q. You how much harder does it make it for you to actually play her?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, when you're out there -- we're both competitors and we both want to win, so we're both going to do anything possible to win the match. You know, after the match we're friends again. You know, it's tennis. It's a game. But off the court we're still -- we still care equally as much about each other. It doesn't really change.

Q. A lot of top players seem to be signing up for this TeamTennis league in Asia. Have you been asked to play and are you planning to?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, I'm playing. I'm playing for Team Dubai. I'm going to play a few matches.

Q. How long a commitment? Month or two?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Couple of weeks, few weeks.

Q. The WTA obviously has a ton of great players. Li Na, Maria, Halep, so many. Do you think in some ways that Serena is a level above? Just talk about that.

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, definitely. I think her results and her career says it all: 18 Grand Slam titles. You don't get that unless you're exceptional in what you do. You know, she is one of the greatest of all time. You know, to have 18 Grand Slam titles and still be the person she is is really something very rare. You know, I admire her both on and off the court. I definitely think when Serena is on her game there's not much we can do. So, you know, I think that's why she has so many titles that she has.

Q. Is it just a collection of talents? Is it the power, per se? What's the most difficult?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I don't believe that talent can beat everything. You know, she's a hard worker. She works hard every day, just like us, but when she needs to she can pull out that big serve. She has the power. She can push us back on the court and take the initiative. You know, she definitely has the experience now, as well. I think that makes it even harder, because maybe back in the day she might have made not the right choices. Now she knows what she needs to do out there, and it makes it even harder to beat her.

Q. Now, what is your schedule? Do you stick around New York? I understand you're going to be back here in November for the New York City Marathon.

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, I'm going to stay here for a few days and then I'm going to go to Tokyo. I am staying here probably till Thursday and head to Tokyo from here.

Q. When you come back, when do you come back and get used to the streets and conditions?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I'm planning on playing Singapore. That's what I'm hoping for, so I won't be back for a week before the marathon after the end of the season.

Q. You talked about the day before about not having anything to lose, wanting to go for your shots. With the way this played out today, do you feel like you did that or was it a function of Serena not even letting you do that?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I think we both went out there and we were both a little nervous. I knew that I had to take the chance from the start. I think we both raised our level in the second set, and it was just a little too late for me. She also went out there and she was very aggressive from the start. So she didn't really let me dictate it the way I wanted to.

Q. I was wondering, after the first three majors where Serena did not play like Serena, what she showed to you with her summer and the way she performed at the US Open?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, after not playing the way she wanted in the first three, I think she wanted to prove to herself and even play better in this one; she ended up winning it. Unfortunately I was the one on the other side of the net today. I would have liked maybe to have more of a chance today, but I didn't. Hopefully I'll get another one in Australia.

Q. What does it show you about her desire, do you think, at this age with all the majors that she's won?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, I think these are questions you should ask her. Obviously she has the desire; she won today; she has 18 Grand Slam titles. She obviously has the desire and the will to win still.

Q. Is this going to be your first New York City Marathon?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yes, so that's going to be...

Q. (Indiscernible.)

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: This is going to be my first race.

Q. First marathon ever?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: So I'm starting with a marathon. I'm just starting off lightly, you know. (Laughter.)

Q. Do you have any time goal?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I do, but I just want to keep it to myself. To be honest, I would just like to finish it. That's going to be a goal. So, yeah, you know, it's just like me, start on the easy side. You know, just 26.2 miles. (Smiling.)

Q. You mentioned noise on the court. I wonder, what did you do? What do you do? Can you shut it out or do you have to just go with it?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: No, you embrace it. You try and embrace it. It's amazing. It's a privilege to be out there on the court with that amazing atmosphere. It's incredible. It's one of a kind here in New York. There's nowhere else in the world where the crowds are so loud and so cheering. It's amazing.

Q. Does it distract you at all?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: No. But, you know, as I said earlier, I went out and I just got a little bit nervous. Playing a champion like Serena, you have to go for it from the start.

Q. What does reaching a final do for your belief going forward?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, definitely it does a lot. You know, I have had a great two weeks here. I have played really well this summer. I have won so many matches. And Serena has stopped me three times. They say three times lucky. I was hoping for that today. I'm going to try four times lucky the next time. (Smiling.) But, you know, I feel like I'm on the right path. I have been playing really well, so hopefully I can finish off the year strong and have a good start to next year.

Q. Do you feel like you've played almost better than you ever did before?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, definitely. I think I have definitely played better tennis these weeks than I have in the past. So it's definitely a positive sign and a good sign for the future.

Q. You have been trying different things in your game. You start in Australia making some adjustment; seems like this tournament everything came together. Are you very confident the way you're playing right now?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah. As I said, since Eastbourne, really, I have been playing really good tennis. It definitely gives me a lot of belief for the end of the year and for next year.

Q. Is there a part of your game that didn't work well enough and you need to change it the next time you meet Serena?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Next time I'm going to play her I'm just gonna try again. Serve well and return well, that's what you have to do. Today she was just too good.

Q. Compared to the last time you made the final here five years ago, how much are you satisfied with your performance? What kind of difference did you see in yourself?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: It's different players. It was five years ago. A lot has changed. A lot has happened. Today I obviously would have loved to have won, but I didn't. Still a great two weeks. In the end of the day I just played someone who played better than me today.