Caroline Wozniacki arrives in New Zealand. / Video by Brett Phibbs
Caroline Wozniacki is back in New Zealand – and determined to finally claim the ASB Classic trophy.
The Danish star, who will be top seed at next week's women's tournament, touched down just after 9am in Auckland on Friday morning after flying in from Los Angeles.
The World No.3 looked relaxed and confident, after a season where she re-established herself as one of the premier players on the WTA tour.
After struggling through most of 2016, when there were rumours that she was considering retirement, Wozniacki bounced back impressively in 2017.
The 27-year-old reached a tour high eight finals, more than any other player on tour. She claimed the season-ending WTA championships in Singapore — probably the biggest title of her career — and also took out the Japan Open.
"It was a great finish to the year - I was so happy with the way I managed to finish the year off," said Wozniacki, who spoke to a large gathering of local media at Auckland Airport. "[It was a] great finish to a great year."
Tennis star Caroline Wozniacki arrives at Auckland International Airport this morning, to compete in the ASB Classic tennis tournament next week. 29 December 2017 New Zealand Herald photograph b
Wozniacki has become an Auckland regular over the last few years, and will contest the tournament for the fifth time in 2018. But curiously enough, Wozniacki, who has won 27 titles around the world and was ranked No1 in the world for 67 weeks earlier this decade, has never emerged victorious on the final day in Auckland.
She reached the final in 2015 (losing a three set thriller to Venus Williams) and has also been a semi-finalist.
"I love starting my year here so it's great to be back and hopefully it's going to be a good one," said Wozniacki. "I've never won the tournament before so it would be great to do that this year."
There could be an added bonus if she lifts the trophy, as Wozniacki could return to No.1 in the world, depending on the results of Simona Halep (No.1) and Garbiñe Muguruza (No.2) in their respective tournaments next week, though Wozniacki was playing down the prospect of being on the tennis summit again.
"Honestly, I haven't really thought about it too much," said Wozniacki. "I'm just here to try and prepare as best as I can and try to win this tournament. We will see what happens after that."
Wozniacki reported she had a quiet, but productive, off season at her base in Florida. "It's been good," said Wozniacki. "I've been training and laying low, not really doing too much, just preparing myself for the new year."
Aside from her spectacular season on court, Wozniacki also enjoyed a memorable year away from tennis, as she got engaged to former NBA player David Lee in November, commencing a new chapter in her personal life, after the difficult breakup with golfer Rory McIlroy in 2014.
"It's been an incredible year, with everything happening on and off the court," Wozniacki told the Herald earlier this month.
"I couldn't have written it any better, if I got the opportunity to. But that's the beauty of tennis, you can always improve. There will be ups and downs but you appreciate the ups so much more after you have had a rough period."
Lee wasn't with Wozniacki as she arrived on Friday, with the player only travelling to Auckland with her coach and father Piotr.
Wozniacki also couldn't confirm if she was going to make a side trip to Hobbiton, after admitting earlier this month that the Matamata destination was on her bucket list.
"We'll see," said Wozniacki, when asked about a possible visit to the iconic Lord of the Rings location. "One thing at a time. [Tournament director Karl Budge] picked my Dad and I up at the airport this year, that's the first time that's happened. I'm going to take it one step at a time."
