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Cahill Says "Big Decisions" Await Wozniacki in Miami


By Erik Gudris
 Photo Credit: Natasha Peterson/Corleve

(March 20th, 2012) At last year's Sony Ericsson Open, Caroline Wozniacki was ranked No. 1 and fresh off winning the title at Indian Wells. But now "Sunshine" isn't burning as bright these days as her ranking has dropped to sixth in the world. Is it time for Wozniacki to hit the panic button as she heads into Miami this week?

Probably not, at least that's what ESPN Tennis Analyst Mary Joe Fernandez thought during a recent conference call when asked if Wozniacki would drop further in the rankings, especially with the rise of her friend Victoria Azarenka to No. 1.

"I don't think we're going to lose Wozniacki. I think she's in the process of improving her game and trying to take it to the next level to win a major, so even though she's dropping in the rankings, I think she's going to be contending," said Fernandez. "I think we're going to see her right back at the top because she's so solid, she covers the court so well, great anticipation skills. Let's face it, she's won 18 titles already and she's only 21. I still have a lot of faith in Wozniacki's future."

When asked if Wozniacki might play with less pressure now that she's no longer sitting at the top of the WTA, Fernandez added, "To me there's always pressure, whether you're No. 1 or not, and I think it's the expectation she puts on herself. And I think, yes, as No. 1, hearing the criticism, perhaps she wanted to prove it a little bit more. But I still think she knows what she's capable of, and she knows that she can beat anyone out there."

But Fernandez's fellow ESPN tennis analyst Darren Cahill wasn't so sure about that. "I think she's feeling more pressure now that she's ever felt. I think she's going through the toughest period she's probably going to go through because as tough as it is to not listen to what everybody is talking about you and not read the press, she's been doing it and she's been trying to take her game to the next level by developing weapons, and she's gone away in my opinion from what's made her the No. 1 player, and that incredible defensive game."

Aside from continuing to work on her often criticized forehand that many feel is Wozniacki's biggest weakness, Cahill stressed that it was time for Wozniacki to figure out her coaching situation sooner rather than later.

"I think there are some big decisions to be made in the Wozniacki camp. I think they did a little trial with Richie Sanchez, and Richie is a great coach, and obviously didn't work out, so I think she's in a crucial 12 month period here at the moment that she's got to get back to what has made her a great player to make sure that she continues to develop those strengths she already has. Obviously you don't have to go away from those weaknesses, you try to improve those weaknesses, but she's got to develop those strengths and make sure mentally and physically she's the toughest player on the WTA Tour, and I think she's gone away from that a little bit."

Wozniacki, who as the No. 4 seed gets a bye into the second round of the women's draw, will play her opening match in Miami later this week.

 

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