Has Caroline Wozniacki done enough in her comeback to deserve the Wimbledon wildcard?
Caroline Wozniacki has been handed a wildcard entry for the Wimbledon Championships 2024. The former World No. 1 is set to avoid playing the qualifiers despite being ranked as World No. 114.
The decision to hand Wozniacki a wildcard is her most recent stroke of luck with the draw. Since her return to tennis in June 2023, the Danish star has been handed a wildcard entry in each of the tournaments she has participated in. The Wimbledon wildcard will be the 11th wildcard for the 33-year-old in under a year.
Caroline Wozniacki's wildcard luck
Caroline Wozniacki announced her retirement from professional tennis in 2020 to prioritize her family. However, the Danish star announced her return after three years, claiming she missed the sport. Since her return in June 2023, Wozniacki has been handed a wildcard in every tournament that she has participated in.
Wozniacki has struggled for form since her professional return and is yet to win any trophy. The 33-year-old has registered only four wins against players ranked in the top 100. Furthermore, the Danish star has lost in the first round of tournaments on four occasions in 2024.
Wozniacki's best performance of the season came at the Indian Wells where she reached the quarterfinals. She was eventually beaten by the World No. 1, Iga Swiatek but showed promise throughout the tournament. However, a second-round exit in Miami followed and a first-round loss at the Madrid Open.
Now, Wozniacki is set to participate in her second Grand Slam since her return at Wimbledon. With another wildcard entry confirmed, the Danish star is set to ride her luck again in London, aiming to reach the quarterfinals at SW19 for the first time.
Does Caroline Wozniacki deserve a wildcard at Wimbledon?
Caroline Wozniacki is extremely lucky to be handed a wildcard entry at the Wimbledon championships. The Dane has done nothing of note so far in her return to tennis and is riding her luck with these wildcard entries. This wildcard entry at Wimbledon could be the last chance to impress for the 33-year-old as the clock starts to tick on her career.
Since her return to professional tennis, Wozniacki has seemed a shadow of her former self. The big serves and devastating forehand have disappeared and the 33-year-old looks rusty and struggles during longer rallies. The Danish star has failed to keep up with the younger talents like Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek, suffering defeats against both the WTA stars during the last year.
Such has been Wozniacki's poor form that she is yet to make it into the top 100 on the world rankings, despite competing in almost 15 tournaments since her return. Her struggle against top players is backed by statistics, with the Dane registering just four wins against top-100 players in the last year.
With the odds against her, Wozniacki will have to play out of her skin to stand a chance of challenging for the Wimbledon title. The Danish star is yet to reach the quarterfinals in London with a fourth-round finish her best performance at the All England Lawn Tennis Club.
Time is running out for Caroline Wozniacki to impress on her return to tennis. The Danish star has yet to prove she deserves a wildcard entry after failing in her last 10 tournaments. Now, with a decisive Wimbledon coming up the 33-year-old would hope to change her fortunes and mount a title challenge at the third Grand Slam of the year.