WOzNiAcKi ReADy FOR OPeN DeFeNce

MELBOURNE — An upbeat Caroline Wozniacki said she was relishing returning to the Australian Open as defending champion Sunday and dismissed concerns health problems were affecting her game.

The Dane achieved a career milestone at Melbourne Park to claim her maiden Grand Slam last year, but also revealed she was suffering the debilitating auto-immune condition rheumatoid arthritis.

Wozniacki, 28, insisted there was no extra pressure returning Down Under as the title holder, saying she was treating her upcoming campaign as “a nice, fun challenge”. —