Finally! Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki relish doubles partnership
By Chris Myson
With Caroline Wozniacki’s time as a professional tennis player running out, she has secured a star doubles teammate in the shape of Serena Williams.
Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki spoke of their delight over their upcoming doubles partnership as well as explaining a feeling of relief that they had been able to make it happen before the end of the Dane’s tennis career.
Wozniacki will retire at the end of the upcoming Australian Open in 2020 after an illustrious career on the WTA Tour.
She is close friends with Serena, who was a bridesmaid at her wedding to former NBA player David Lee earlier this year.
The duo, both former world number ones who have spent a combined 390 weeks at top spot, have already confirmed a collaboration to play against each other in an exhibition match in May, by which point Wozniacki will have left the professional circuit.
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That contest will take place in Copenhagen, the capital of Wozniacki’s home country Denmark, and is being billed as the last match of her career, with organisers saying they could have sold out the stadium several times over, such is the overwhelming demand.
In addition, Serena and Wozniacki have now announced will also play together as doubles partners in next month’s ASB Classic in Auckland on the WTA Tour.
Both players are entered for the singles event so have seized the opportunity to join forces as part of Wozniacki’s farewell. They have never played doubles together before and discussed their excitement about the prospect of doing so at the upcoming event.
“I can’t wait to play with Caroline,” Serena Williams told the tournament’s website.
“She’s one of my best friends and I’m just so happy that we’re able to play a tournament together before she hangs up her racquets for good.”
For Wozniacki, 29, the doubles team felt like a long time in the making after facing Serena 11 times in singles competition.
"“We’ve been wanting to play doubles together for a long time, but it just hasn’t worked out,” Caroline Wozniacki said.“So I’m really excited that it’s finally going to happen, especially at one of my favourite tournaments on tour. It’s going to be so much fun!”Tournament director Karl Budge added: “This is a pairing that I think tennis fans have been waiting to see for a long time.“To have Serena and Caroline on court together, on the same side of the net, is an amazing opportunity for tennis fans to see history being made.”"
Given the extraordinary singles success achieved by Serena Williams, it is easy to overlook her formidable doubles record.
The American has won as astonishing 16 Grand Slams in doubles (women’s and mixed) and has previously been the top ranked player in that form of the game.
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Wozniacki has not played as much doubles in her career, but will relish the opportunity to play alongside a great player and friend as one of her final WTA Tour memories.
The ASB Classic starts on January 6, with Bianca Andreescu and Coco Gauff among the stiff competition awaiting Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki in the singles.
While Wozniacki was finalising plans for her last weeks on the circuit, four-time major winner Kim Clijsters was confirming the details of her return.
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Clijsters, 36, initially had her comeback delayed by a knee injury but will play the Monterrey Open and Indian Wells Open in March as well as the Charleston Open in April.