The bubbly blonde swept to her 3rd title for 2011 on the Charleston clay, solidifying her status as world number 1 and sending a dire warning to her rivals ahead of the European clay court swing.
We already know she can absorb the pace of fast hardcourts and dominate her opponents with guile, demonstrated by her title victories last year in Copenhagen, Montreal, New Haven, Tokyo and Beijing.
And she’s already shown the world she can stand her ground on grass, having won Eastbourne in 2009.
With her Charleston title in tow, this vivacious baseliner is on a collision course for her maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros.
Many of her rivals for the French Open crown appear to be ailing. Kim Clijsters has shown questionable form since her triumphant Australian Open victory, and the Williams sisters continue to struggle under respective injury clouds.
And as for the rest of the women’s field?
Well, a cavalcade of former clay specialists continue their choking ways and lukewarm form, namely Kuznetsova, Ivanovic, Jankovic and the once-feared Dinara Safina, who continues to battle an unforgiving back injury.
Caroline Wozniacki’s game is reminiscent of WTA legend Martina Hingis, albeit juiced up with more firepower and speed (not cocaine, Martina). Her double-handed backhand is one of the best in the business, and her ability to turn defence into attack enables her to outmanoeuvre the hardest hitting of foes.
Even with her stellar results in the past twelve months, something tells me Wozniacki still has a lot of development to do. When she’s braided with a bit more muscle, and capable of really pulling the proverbial trigger on-court, big things will eventuate for this prodigy of women’s tennis.
Robert Edward Smith is a communications graduate, freelance writer and tennis enthusiast from Melbourne, Australia.
I agree with the author of this article. True,Grand Slams are great but winning one does not mean that the player is the best out there. There have been with a GS who never made it to a no.1 spot simply because they were not good enough. Have a good score at slams is less than to have best results overall.