By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, February 29, 2016
Caroline Wozniacki faces BFF Serena Williams in the BNP Paribas Showdown at Madison Square Garden next Tuesday.
Photo credit: Madison Square Garden
Crossing the New York City finish line was the most demanding closing kick of Caroline Wozniacki's life.
The former world No. 1 returns to New York next week seeking to jump-start her season.
Watch: Wozniacki Sizzles in SI Swimsuit Issue
The part-time New York City resident will square off with world No. 1 and sometime BFF Serena Williams at the BNP Paribas Showdown at Madison Square Garden next Tuesday night.
The Williams-Wozniacki meeting is the marquee match of an exhibition evening that launches with reigning Roland Garros champion Stan Wawrinka facing the flamboyant Gael Monfils, a long-time New York City fan favorite because of show-stopping shots like these.
It will be the 21-time Grand Slam champion's first match since she fell to Angelique Kerber in the Australian Open final.
Williams beat Wozniacki in the 2014 US Open final then shared the victory celebration with her friend. Serena has beaten Caroline in 10 of their 11 meetings; this is the first their first encounter since Williams squeezed out a 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6) victory at the 2014 WTA Finals in Singapore.
"Yes, of course (it's important facing Serena)," Wozniacki said today in a conference call with the media to promote the Madison Square Garden match. "I think especially next week because Serena hasn't played since the Australian Open. So for her, it's all about getting that match spirit. Both of us are going to play really hard and I hope that it's going to be a great match. We both want to win every time we step on the court."
Winning hasn't come easily for Wozniacki lately. Since her loss to Sloane Stephens in the Auckland semifinal last month, Wozniacki has slumped to a 2-3 record, including opening-round exits at the Australian Open and St. Petersburg as her ranking has dropped to No. 22.
The woman who modeled for the new Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue wearing only body paint has looked exposed at times on court playing predictable crosscourt patterns and struggling to generate offense with her forehand.
A year removed from her last title in Kuala Lumpur, the 2011 Indian Wells champion is hoping to gain ground at upcoming American hard-court events in Indian Wells and Miami.
"I feel good about my chances because it's tennis," Wozniacki said. "The main thing is I'm healthy right now. I'm excited about playing these upcoming events where I've done well in the past. So I'm excited for the next part of the season."
Running the 2014 New York City Marathon for charity was a physical test Wozniacki calls "one of the most physically challenging things I've done in my life." She crossed the finish line in 3 hours, 26 minutes where she was greeted by Serena taking photos.
The Top 10 debuts of veteran Roberta Vinci and teenager Belinda Bencic in recent weeks suggest there could be transition near the top.
As the former marathoner tries to make her move back up to the elite pack, Wozniacki told Tennis Now today she's prepared for a long run.
"As far as the transition in the Top 10, I think it's one thing to get there, but it's another thing to stay there," Wozniacki told Tennis Now. "So it remains to be seen how the Top 10 is going to look by the end of the year and next year as well."