Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki says that Serena Williams‘ comeback will force the current top-ranked players to raise their games at the French Open.
The former world number one will be looking to build on her long-awaited maiden Grand Slam triumph in Melbourne, but she has never reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros.
Despite being in the opposite half of the draw to three-time champion Serena, Wozniacki knows that Serena’s presence as an unseeded player will put pressure on her rivals.
“I think it’s always great to have the best players play, and it raises your level,” said the Dane.
“You have to play your best level, and I think having someone like Serena back, it’s keeping us all on our toes and we have to keep improving all the time.”
Wozniacki finally claimed her first major title this year, and admitted that it has lifted a weight off her shoulders.
“I think the biggest difference is really when I’m in here in the press conferences,” she said.
“I think that’s the biggest difference, because I’m not getting asked anymore, you know, what it takes to be a Grand Slam champion, why I haven’t gotten there yet.
“It feels amazing to have that with me now, and hopefully I can build on that.”
Wozniacki is the second seed in paris, behind only Simona Halep, who she beat in the Australian Open final and is still searching for a Grand Slam crown.
The 27-year-old showed improved form on clay 12 months ago when she was beaten in a tight quarter-final by eventual champion Jelena Ostapenko.
“I think I have proven myself that I can actually play on this surface, and, you know, it’s all about trying to get the timing and trying to get the head right, really,” she said.
Meanwhile, top-seeded Halep thinks Serena is still capable of challenging for titles, as the American prepares to make her Grand Slam return in Paris.
Williams will be playing in her first major tournament since winning last year’s Australian Open, having taken time off to give birth to her first child.
Halep, a two-time runner-up in Paris, knows that despite a lack of time on court, the unseeded Williams could prove a threat.
“It’s great for tennis that she’s back,” said Halep yesterday.
“Maybe she needs a little bit more time to get again used to the tournaments and everyday playing.
“In my opinion… She’s able to come back and to win tournaments again.
“She knows how to handle the pressure, how to handle all the situations. She’s (been) there for so many years. So I think she will come back and she will be good again.”
Williams, who opens her campaign with a first-round match against Czech Kristyna Pliskova, struggled on her return to tennis in March with early defeats in Indian Wells and Miami before taking more time off to get fully fit for Roland Garros.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion is joined in Paris by fellow former world number ones Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova, with the trio playing a major tournament together for the first time since the 2016 Australian Open.
“I feel that now everyone is here (it) feels that the tournament is completed and everyone is here just to show that tennis is really nice and also that everyone can win it,” added Halep, who opens her campaign against world No105 Alison Riske.
“These girls are coming back, Vika (Azarenka), Serena, with the kids, which is amazing. Makes it a little bit different and also special.”
