BEIJING: Caroline Wozniacki will replace American star Serena Williams as No. 1 in the world when the new rankings are released Monday.
The 20-year-old will become the first player from Denmark, male or female, to hold the top ranking after a 6-3, 6-2 win over Petra Kvitova at the China Open in Beijing on Thursday.
“This is a real big step for me. To be the world No. 1 has always been a dream for me,” Wozniacki said at the Beijing Tennis Center. “It doesn’t feel like it’s real.”
Wozniacki is the 20th player to top the rankings since they began in 1975 and the third in the last two years to do so without having won a Grand Slam title, following Dinara Safina and Jelena Jankovic. But make no mistake; capturing a major title is her next target.
“That would be like a dream come true,” Wozniacki said.
Wozniacki has won 11 titles, five of them this year, and has lost once in her last 21 matches. She reached the U.S. Open final last year, losing to Kim Clijsters, and her best Grand Slam result this season was also in New York, where she fell in the semifinals.
The head of women’s tennis described Wozniacki as “an inspiring young woman.”
“It’s not surprising that Caroline’s incredible athleticism, discipline, dedication to training and razor-sharp focus have gotten her to No. 1,” WTA chairman and CEO Stacey Allaster said. “With the No. 1 ranking, Caroline has joined a group of extraordinary players that have climbed to the pinnacle of the sport.”
Williams, the Wimbledon and Australian Open champion, has not played competitively since capturing her 13th Grand Slam title at the All England Club in July. The American has been sidelined by a cut on her foot but will make her return in Linz, Austria, next week.
Organizers said Williams confirmed her entry to the WTA event on Thursday.
