Former world No. 1 in tennis, Caroline Wozniacki, is poised to take on second-seeded Elina Svitolina in the opening round of the women’s ASB Classic scheduled from January 1st to 7th, 2024.
Wozniacki, making a return to professional tennis in August 2023 after a hiatus for family life, holds a current ranking of No. 249 and secured a wildcard entry for the tournament. Unseeded and facing a formidable opponent in Svitolina, the Danish player’s comeback encounter promises an intriguing showdown.
Expressing her anticipation for the challenging match, Svitolina admitted the draw was tough but conveyed her excitement about facing Wozniacki. She expressed her desire to compete against the former No. 1 since learning of her return to the circuit.
“It’s going to be a tough one but really looking forward to this match,” Svitolina shared with ASB Classic. “When I found out that Caroline was coming back, I always wanted to play against her. It’s going to be an exciting one.”
The draw’s drama unfolded as Svitolina inadvertently selected the numbered discs, leading to an unexpected pairing against Wozniacki. Despite the surprise, Svitolina maintained a philosophical stance, acknowledging the randomness of the draw.
“I didn’t realize, I was just doing my job,” said Svitolina. “But then I remembered that those two were just close but that’s the luck I have, so it’s OK.”
Adding to the intrigue, the winner of this anticipated clash might potentially face the returning British sensation, Emma Raducanu. Raducanu, known for her historic US Open win in 2021, expressed eagerness to resume competitive tennis in Auckland after a hiatus since April.
“Yeah, I feel reborn in a way. I feel fresh, I feel ready, I feel happy, I feel excited,” Raducanu expressed in a press conference. “It’s nice not to have three casts on you, so you know, just moving around and showering, everything, you really appreciate just being able to do your own hair, stuff like that. So yeah, I’m just happy to be back playing.”
Acknowledging the challenge of the competitive draw, tournament director Nicolas Lamperin highlighted the excitement anticipated from the tournament’s start. Lamperin emphasized the array of strong players in the bottom quarter, including Svitolina, Wozniacki, Raducanu, and former French Open semifinalist Amanda Anisimova, promising an engaging week of tennis from day one.
-IANS
