Injury helped Wozniacki rejuvenate

CAROLINE Wozniacki said an extended injury break last year was a crucial factor behind her WTA Finals victory, an echo of this season’s brilliant comebacks by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The former world number one beat Venus Williams for the first time in eight attempts to seal the biggest title of her career at the prestigious season finale Sunday.

It’s an outcome that seemed unlikely just over 12 months ago, when Wozniacki languished at number 74 after struggling to return from a major ankle injury sustained early in 2016.

But the 27-year-old Dane, who appeared fresh and hungry as she lost just once in five matches in Singapore, said the 10-week layoff was a blessing in disguise. “I strongly believe everything happens for a reason and maybe I wouldn’t be here if that (injury) wouldn’t have happened,” she told reporters after her 6-4, 6-4 win.

“I think the break from tennis for me was great.

“When I felt ready, I came back and I was enjoying to play out there.”

Wozniacki’s success follows revivals by Nadal and Federer, who both struggled with injury last year but have returned to split the men’s Grand Slam singles titles and the top two rankings in 2017.

Federer, 36, is a proponent of taking time to rest and he has announced that he will skip this week’s Paris Masters, admitting: in Singapore late on “My body is asking for a break.”

Players have long complained about the arduous tennis season, which stretches from January to November, with rankings points available at tournaments around the globe.

With Sunday’s win, Wozniacki will finish the year third in the rankings, having come into the tournament at six having won the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo last month.

Wozniacki flourished in Singapore, with her renowned counterpunching complemented by extra firepower as she beat Elina Svitolina, world number one Simona Halep and Karolina Pliskova.

Wozniacki may now be hopeful of landing a first Grand Slam title, after reaching the US Open final in 2009 and 2014.

But she said she wasn’t yet thinking about the Australian Open – the first Slam on the 2018 calendar – and was instead looking forward to another break.

“In a month’s time, I will start preparing for the next season,” she said. “I’m very happy the season is finished right now.

“It’s been a great year.” — AFP