Serena Williams, Wozniacki to play doubles in Auckland | Inquirer Sports

Serena Williams, Wozniacki to play doubles in Auckland

/ 09:40 PM December 24, 2019

Caroline Wozniacki

FILE – In this Friday, Oct. 4, 2019 file photo, Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark reacts after beating Daria Kasatkina of Russia in their quarterfinal match in the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing. Wozniacki has announced on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019 she will retire after the Australian Open. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, file)

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Long-time friends Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki will play doubles together for the first time at the WTA Tour’s ASB Classic in Auckland beginning on Jan. 6.

Former No. 1 Wozniacki has started her season in Auckland every year since 2015 and has made the hard court tournament the first stop of her short farewell tour.

Article continues after this advertisement

The 29-year-old Wozniacki was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis shortly after winning her the 2018 Australian Open and will retire from tennis after playing the Open in Melbourne next month.

FEATURED STORIES

Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam winner, has not played doubles with anyone other than her sister Venus since the Fed Cup World Group playoff in 2015. Her last WTA tournament in doubles without Venus was in 2002.

Wozniacki hasn’t played doubles for more than three years.

Article continues after this advertisement

The pair are close friends. Williams was Wozniacki’s bridesmaid at her wedding earlier this year and will play an exhibition in Copenhagen in May, Wozniacki’s final match before retirement.

Article continues after this advertisement

“We’ve been wanting to play doubles together for a long time but it just hasn’t worked out so I’m really excited that it’s finally going to happen, especially at one of my favorite tournaments on tour,” Wozniacki said. “It’s going to be so much fun!”

“This is a pairing that I think tennis fans have been waiting to see for a long time,” tournament director Karl Budge said Tuesday. “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.”

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: ASB Classic, Auckland, Caroline Wozniacki, Doubles, New Zealand, Serena Williams, Tennis

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.