Emotional Caroline Wozniacki breaks down in tears with her husband and father as her tennis career ends in a third-round defeat at the Australian Open... and despite winning 30 titles she admits: 'It was fitting to finish on a forehand error!'

  • Caroline Wozniacki rounded off her tennis career with a defeat to Ons Jabeur 
  • The Tunisian won 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 in her farewell at the Australian Open third round 
  • Wozniacki was tearful as she reflected on her impressive career with pride
  • She joked that it was 'only fitting' to round off her career with a forehand error 

A tearful Caroline Wozniacki broke down on court surrounded by her family as she closed the curtain on her 15-year playing career.

The Danish star lost to Ons Jabeur 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 in the third round of the Australian Open, and she decided to call it a day at the age of 29 after revealing last month that the tournament would be her last.

While she would have been hoping to bow out in a blaze of glory, Wozniacki insisted she was proud of her career and had no regrets about the way it had panned out, joking that it was inevitable she would finish with a routine mistake.

Caroline Wozniacki couldn't hold back the tears as she called time on her 15-year tennis career

Caroline Wozniacki couldn't hold back the tears as she called time on her 15-year tennis career

Her family offer support as she embraces her husband after playing on court for the last time

Her family offer support as she embraces her husband after playing on court for the last time

She shares a kiss with her husband as her team celebrate her career in an emotional final day

She shares a kiss with her husband as her team celebrate her career in an emotional final day

Wozniacki embarked on a lap of honour as 'Sweet Caroline' played out on the sound system

Wozniacki embarked on a lap of honour as 'Sweet Caroline' played out on the sound system

'I think it was only fitting that my last match would be a three-setter, a grinder, and that I would finish my career with a forehand error,' she said after the match.


She said she had been overwhelmed by the support she had received as tributes were played to her on the big screen, and she collected a huge bouquet of flowers. 

'There's a lot of emotions, a lot of things I can't compartmentalise now,' she added. 'A lot of excitement. A little sadness. Flashbacks to since I was a kid to this moment.

'The fact that it's gone so quick but at the same time it feels like I've been out here for a long time. Players coming up to me and congratulating me. Just feeling the love from everyone has been very special.' 

The Dane poses with her family as she collects a bouquet of flowers while tributes pour in

The Dane poses with her family as she collects a bouquet of flowers while tributes pour in

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI 

Born: 11 July 1990, Odense, Denmark  

Turned pro: 2005

Career titles: 30 WTA

Highest ranking: No 1 (2010) 

Grand Slam win: Australian Open (2018)

Finalist: US Open (2009, 2014) 

Prize money: $34,075,665 

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There were emotional scenes as 'Sweet Caroline' played out around the sound system at the stadium, as she embarked on a lap of honour, waving to spectators with tears in her eyes.  

Tributes came from stars of the game such as Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. 

Djokovic said: 'I don't know how to say goodbye to you. We've lived in the same place for many years, I've seen you jog in the street and walk your dogs and I think we've developed a nice relationship.' 

Nadal said: 'I am very sad to be making this video because everybody wants to see you play tennis.'

Federer added: 'I was so happy for you when you won the Australian Open and also world No 1, that's the pinnacle of our sport and you did it all.' 

She posted her appreciation for the support on social media after a draining day, saying she had lived out her dream. 

'Wow what a ride it’s been!' she Tweeted. 'From a little girl with a big dream, to this moment, standing on the court today living out my tennis dream one last time, in front of the world. 

'It has been everything I could ever have hoped for! The farewell I got today was absolutely incredible!' 

Wozniacki had come from behind to beat Dayana Yastremska in the second round, but there was to be no miracle this time as Jabeur held on despite the Dane making a recovery from 0-3 down in the final set.

She flies the Danish flag as she soaks up the limelight following the final match of her career

She flies the Danish flag as she soaks up the limelight following the final match of her career

She admitted that the thought of the match being her last played heavily on her mind, which could have played a part as she tried to keep unforced errors to a minimum.

'Throughout the match there were a couple of times where I was like, "Shoot, this could be my last one",' she said. 'It was just like, "I don't want it to be the last one, I want to be out there fighting".'

But the 2018 Australian Open winner said she gave it her all and was content with her final performance - saying her tears were ones of happiness. 

'I fought like my life depended on it. I think the result today doesn't matter to me as much as the way that I fought, that I gave it everything. I wanted to be out there. I did everything. Throughout my career, that's what I'm known for.

Wozniacki insisted her tears were those of happiness as she wrapped up her playing days

Wozniacki insisted her tears were those of happiness as she wrapped up her playing days

'It's exciting. It's terrifying. It's a lot of emotions at the same time. But I'm happy. I'm very happy. Even though I was crying a lot earlier, it really wasn't sad tears.'

Wozniacki turned pro in 2005 and can certainly be pleased when she looks back on her career as she battled hard in a landscape that has been dominated by the likes of Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova.

She won 30 WTA tour titles, and became world No 1 in 2010, although her only Grand Slam came as recently as 2018 as she lifted the Australian Open title. She came close to clinching another when she reached the US Open final in 2009 and 2014.

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