Wozniacki has ring but Serena has love match
Caroline Wozniacki isn’t used to sharing the limelight when she comes to New Zealand.
But the Danish tennis superstar says she’s very comfortable staying in the shade of her newly engaged pal and on-court rival, Serena WIlliams.
Wozniacki was virtually ignored as fans and media flocked to see Williams when they touched down in Auckland on the same flight from Houston on Friday.
‘‘We’d just got off a 14 and a half hour flight, so I was quite happy for Serena to take that one,’’ said Wozniacki in her first New Zealand interview ahead of the ASB Classic, starting tomorrow.
News of Williams’ engagement to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian emerged around an hour after they landed, but Wozniacki revealed she was already in on the secret.
‘‘Obviously she had big news yesterday too, which was awesome so I was happy for her.
‘‘I knew already, so I’m really happy for her and they’re a great couple.’’
Williams’ engagement ring hasn’t been spotted yet, but Wozniacki was showing off a ring of her own yesterday, a 1.9 carat yellow sapphire, set into 18k gold and surrounded by a halo of yellow diamonds and valued at $15,000.
It was given to her by Moet & Chandon and New Zealand jewellers Naveya & Sloane. ‘‘I think it’s beautiful,’’ she said. ‘‘It has a lot of nice detail to it, I like the engraving underneath and it’s really pretty.’’
She was given it at the Moet lounge at the Tennis Arena, overlooking the outside courts, where players in qualifying were battling away, in the hope of one day being in a position where Wozniacki is.
Not surprisingly, while she gratefully accepted the ring, she turned down the invitation to have a glass of bubbly.
This is her fourth visit to Auckland, with her best year being 2015 when she lost in the final to Venus Williams.
She said she’s got to know the city quite well and has her regular haunts where she likes to go.
‘‘You get to know your favourite places to eat and go to relax and have a good time, so you definitely get familiar with Auckland.’’
As for this trip, she says it’s got off to an enjoyable start.
‘‘It’s been good, we went out and had a bite to eat last night and had a practice as well.
‘‘I’ve got myself settled and it’s beautiful weather.
‘‘Karl [Budge, tournament director], always takes good care of us and I enjoy being back.’’
Wozniacki and Serena Williams are on opposite sides of the draw, so will meet only should they make it to the final.
Standing in their way will be Serena’s sister Venus, who will take on Kiwi teenager Jade Lewis, niece of Wimbledon finalist Chris, in the first round.