Caroline Wozniacki plans to run the New York Marathon in November, saying she will adjust her tennis training to participate.
The 24-year-old from Denmark, who will be raising money for charity, described it as something she has long wanted to do.
"I’ve seen it on TV and I have always thought one day I would do it. November, I looked at my schedule and I didn’t really have any plans when my season ended, so I thought, ‘Why not do it?’," she told *The New York Times*.
Wozniacki's wedding to Rory McIlroy was scheduled for tennis' November offseason before he unexpectedly ended their engagement before the French Open.
Wozniacki will continue to play WTA events following the U.S. Open, but will also do some training for the marathon. "Obviously, it’s going to be hard,” she said. “I’m a tennis player first and that’s what my main priority is. At the same time, I’m going to incorporate a lot of longer runs into my training."
About 15 friends and family are expected to show up to watch her, and she received tweets of encouragement from Ana Ivanovic and Bob Bryan, among others.
"Everyone thinks I'm a little crazy," she admitted, however.
Other tennis players including Amelie Mauresmo, Kimiko Date-Krumm and Mats Wilander have also run marathons, but usually following retirement. Wozniacki would not say what time she was aiming for.
“I just need to finish the marathon,” she said. “That’s my goal, and if I have to crawl over the finish line, I’ll do that.”