World No 1 or working in a supermarket? It’s all the same to Wozniacki’s father as she lives her dream

Caroline Wozniacki’s father told her he would not care if she worked in a supermarket before she went out and won her first grand slam title to become world No 1.

Piotr Wozniacki has been his daughter’s primary coach throughout her career and shared the long journey that led to a first slam trophy at the age of 27 when she beat Simona Halep at the Australian Open on Saturday. He said: “Normally I’m very nervous but I could eat before Caroline’s match so that was very good.

“I was saying to Caroline ‘you won’t change my day, you are my daughter, it doesn’t matter if you’re working in a supermarket or No 1 in the world, this is the same for me’.

“We waited a long time. It was Caroline’s dream from very young, 12 years old, that she would win grand slam or be No 1 in the world. Today we see it coming in the same moment. “This dream is now reality. Now I hope Caroline can have the next dream.”

A newer member of her team is fiance David Lee, a former NBA star, who lived through every moment of her 7-6 (7/2), 3-6, 6-4 victory over Halep.

“It was a very high-quality tennis match and to have her come out on top, those last couple of points just showed her fighting spirit,” he said. “It just stinks that one of those two had to lose that match because they both played like champions.”

One of the first people to tweet congratulations was Wozniacki’s longtime friend Serena Williams, who revealed the moment reduced her to tears.

Wozniacki, pictured, spoke glowingly of Williams’ impact on her, saying: “Serena’s a huge inspiration and obviously what she’s done in women’s sports and women’s tennis is incredible.

“She’s an amazing athlete but I think the most important thing about Serena is that she’s an amazing person and she really has taught me a lot of things. The way she handles herself, the way she thinks going out on the court, it’s taught me a lot and that’s why it’s very special she was supporting me. “I’m sure when she decides to come back she’ll be as good as ever.” Wozniacki was still planning to play next week’s St Petersburg Open but has not yet thought about what this first slam trophy could lead to over the rest of her career. She said: “I just want to enjoy the moment. Not only am I a grand slam champion – it still seems crazy to say that – but I’m also back to No 1. I couldn’t have scripted it any better and I’m very proud of the way I’ve fought to get here.”