One-on-one with Caroline Wozniacki

Caroline Wozniacki was already a star in her native Denmark before entering the WTA top 10 two weeks ago. So is tennis the most popular sport in her home country? “Not yet,” says the smiling 18 year-old. Blessed with beauty and talent, Caroline Wozniacki is a popular figure in her home country, regularly gracing the covers of women’s magazines. Friendly and always willing to give of her time, it is easy to see why Wozniacki is so admired. Engaged to the son of legendary footballer Michael Laudrup, she is also about to launch her own line of cosmetics and even writes a popular blog for a television channel. “Caroline is a unique role-model for female athletes in Denmark. Just ask anyone in the street, young or old, and they’ll know who she is. She has made a name for herself fast and become a fantastic ambassador for our country,” comments a Danish journalist. “It’s thanks to her that we were able to have the new WTA tour event in Odense last November.” All in the family With a mother and father active in football and volleyball, the Wozniacki family is no stranger to sports. Nonetheless, Caroline had to work at convincing her father that she was worthy of the tennis courts. “I was so bad when I started that I had to spend three years practicing against a wall for three hours a day before my father would let me play in a club,” the Madrid finalist confesses. The fairytale that followed could have been written by Hans Christian Andersen himself. “I’ve always set my sights on one goal at a time. At first I just concentrated on beating my parents, then my brother. Then I aimed at being champion of Denmark. Once I had won everything at national level, it was time to move on to the international circuit,” explains the 2005 Orange Bowl champion. First TV appearance at 10 years old At the age of ten, Caroline appeared on television for the first time. She has had time, then, to get used to being in the spotlight. “I love my life, it’s important to do all that I can to promote tennis in Denmark. I worked hard to get where I am. Years of hard work are paying off now and I like to share it with people. Recently I took a three day break from tennis when I went home, but I spent those three days doing interviews and photo shoots.” The 2006 Australian Open Juniors finalist shared with us the secret to her permanent smile, “I’m positive. If I lose a match it’s not the end of the world.” That realistic outlook does not mean she does not harbour big dreams. “I want to be world No1 and a Grand Slam winner,” she asserts. Wozniacki intends to draw inspiration from the game of former stars Steffi Graf and Martina Hingis. “They played with their head. That’s how I want to play as well.” A solid baseline player with a good service, Caroline is able to change rhythm both in terms of speed and placement of the ball. This season’s victories at Ponte Vedra the finals at Charleston and Madrid and a first-round win over Russia’s Vera Duschevina bear witness to her progress. The spectators at Roland Garros should be in for a treat on Thursday when she takes on Jill Craybas.