Wozniacki readies for Rio with World TeamTennis

NEW YORK—“A lot has changed. A lot of things have happened since then,” said Caroline Wozniacki, who on Monday made her debut for the Philadelphia Freedoms in her first Mylan World TeamTennis appearance since 2006.

The former No. 1 hasn’t won three matches in a row since reaching the semifinals of Auckland in January. Her ranking has plummeted to No. 54, exiting the Top 50 for the first time since 2008. She has struggled with injuries, including a sprained ankle that put her in a cast and a left bicep tear that forced her out of Washington last month. Throughout all of this, the Dane’s eligibility for the Olympic Games wavered when she was too hurt to play the required number of Fed Cup ties.

“With the eligibility I just kind of thought, 'OK, if it’s meant to be it’s going to happen,'” said Wozniacki. “I just didn’t stress about it that much because at that point there was nothing I could do.” Wozniacki won her appeal in late June.

The turbulent year isn’t fazing the 26-year-old, who competed in singles and doubles for the Freedoms against the New York Empire at the iconic West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, N.Y.

“I’m just going to keep working and most importantly I’m going to try to stay healthy,” said Wozniacki, who sees Mylan WTT as good preparation for the remainder of the season, and a means to ensure matches. “If I stay healthy I believe I can reach anything. It’s just been a struggle this year to be able to play fully so that’s what I’m most working on.”

Her struggles, especially when she failed to win a match at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, were not lost on the tennis world. Yet the critique rolls right off the two-time Grand Slam finalist's back.

“To be honest there are so many experts and so many people that have opinions and if I listened to everybody I probably wouldn’t be playing tennis right now,” Wozniacki said.

She then marched out onto the historic West Side Tennis Club stadium court—where the U.S. Open was determined until 1977—alongside her Philadelphia teammates to beat the Empire, 22-19.

“It’s so fun,” she said. “It’s much different. It’s quick. You have to be playing well from the start; your whole team is supporting you. We play net cords so I’m sure I’m going to be little bit confused to start out with, but I’m just going to take it in stride.”

She first teamed up with Naomi Broady for doubles, squeaking past Christina McHale and Maria Irigoyan, 5-4.

Later on in singles, Wozniacki looked like her old self in making very few errors to shut out McHale, 5-0.

On Tuesday night, Wozniacki will again play for the Freedoms against the defending champion Washington Kastles. While WTT is very different to the rigors of tour play, Wozniacki is getting some much-needed competition under her belt before heading to the pressure cooker that is the Rio Games.

“Olympics only happen every four years so you don’t really get a mulligan on that,” she said. “Going out there there’s going to be a little bit more pressure. At the same time it’s a dream to be able to represent your country at such a big event. I’m going to really enjoy the moment and really go for it and give it my all.”

She’s most excited about just the chance to play, and the honor of being Denmark's flag bearer.

“I think obviously to play that’s going to be great,” Wozniacki said. “But the opening ceremony and carrying the flag showing the way for my country it’s something spectacular and something to be proud of. That’s what I’m most looking forward to.”