Wozniacki stresses on fitness ahead of US Open

WASHINGTON: Hard work and peak fitness are the major concerns for World No 2 Caroline Wozniacki as she starts her first run to the US Open as a Grand Slam champion.

The 28-year-old Dane captured her first major title in January at the Australian Open, downing current World No 1 Simona Halep in the final, and the 2009 and 2014 US Open runner-up approaches the hardcourt campaign ahead of New York with new confidence.

“It feels great to have won my first Grand Slam,” Caroline said Monday. “At this point, you have to keep on working hard and try to be in the best shape possible heading into the US Open. That’s all you can do.”

Caroline was sharp as she reached Melbourne, coming off a title in the 2017 season-ending WTA Championship in Singapore, beating Venus Williams in the final.

Days later, Caroline became engaged to former NBA player David Lee. She had previously been engaged to Northern Ireland golf star Rory McIlroy but they broke up in 2014.

In her 43rd main draw Grand Slam appearance, Caroline finally lifted a champion’s trophy in Melbourne and reclaimed the World No 1 ranking six years after last holding the top spot, eclipsing Serena Williams by 11 months for the longest gap between reigns.

Caroline, who captured her 29th career WTA title a month ago at Eastbourne, made a fourth-round exit at the French Open and lost in the second round at Wimbledon.

“I took a little time off,” Caroline said. “It has been a hard season. My old trainer came in and pushed me to my limits. I wanted to be in the best shape possible. So it feels fine.”

Caroline has adjusted her goals after finally braking through for a Grand Slam title, looking now for success on the same Arthur Ashe Stadium court where she lost to Kim Clijsters nine years ago in her first Grand Slam final and to Serena Williams in 2014.

“The motivation and hunger has always been there. It’s about resetting your goals and having another milestone,” Caroline said. “I reset that after the Australian Open.”