Tennis Star Wozniacki to Retire After 2020 Australian Open

Photo Wozniacki playing at the 2016 US Open

si.robi • CC BY-SA 2.0

Danish professional tennis player, who is a former world No. 1 in singles, the 20th in the Open Era, and the first woman from a Scandinavian country to hold the top ranking position is calling it quits after 2020 Australian Open.

Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki 29, broke the shocking news Friday on “Good Morning America, “I’m ready to move on to the next chapter in my life.”

.@GMA EXCLUSIVE: Danish tennis player @CaroWozniacki on her retirement: “There’s so many other things I’d like to do off the court.” https://t.co/Qlkw4RgvK5 pic.twitter.com/G4aHrQE8J1

— Good Morning America (@GMA) December 6, 2019

She later shared a post on Twitter and Instagram.

“I’ve always told myself, when the time comes, that there are things away from tennis that I want to do more, then it’s time to be done. In recent months, I’ve realized that there is a lot more in life that I’d like to accomplish off the court. Getting married to David [Lee] was one of those goals and starting a family with him while continuing to travel the world and helping raise awareness about rheumatoid arthritis (project upcoming) are all passions of mine moving forward.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5u5VsyCeBB/?igshid=78nbop4rle0b

In June, Wozniacki and former NBA Knicks and All-Star David Lee exchanged marital vows in Italy. Her bestie, and opponent who battled each other on the court Serena Williams was one of Wozniacki’s bridesmaids in her wedding.

https://www.instagram.com/p/By7sLdAnyAn/?igshid=cawjx4c9jmd0

Outside of tennis Wozniacki was accepted in to Harvard Business School.

Being accepted in to Harvard Business School is a dream come true! Thank you @anitaelberse and @Harvard for this amazing opportunity! #1stdayofschool pic.twitter.com/PnNyqpR8yP

— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) September 9, 2019

At the 2018 Australian Open, Wozniacki was seeded second, her highest seeding since 2012. Wozniacki won the women’s title, defeating Simona Halep in the final to win her first Grand Slam.

Shortly afterwards she told fans she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

"I got diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and it was something I'd been battling with, I wasn't really sure what was going on" – @carowozniacki pic.twitter.com/frqBS9GFBw

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 10, 2019

Wozniacki is currently ranked 37th in the world.