Caroline Wozniacki, 29, bowed out of the Australian Open in the third round, losing 5-7, 6-3, 5-7 to Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, thus bringing to an end the career of one of Denmark’s most successful ever sports people.
The adulation from within the world of tennis – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic together made a farewell video – said it all, as the sport has lost one of its warmest personalities.
The tears on Wozniacki’s face after her defeat, as her father Piotr held her arm aloft at the scene of her one and only grand slam triumph, were of joy, not sadness.
She has new horizons in her sights: a course at Harvard Business School and raising awareness of rheumatoid arthritis, the disease she has been battling since 2018.
Piotr’s last grumble
Since winning the junior version of Wimbledon in 2006, Wozniacki has carried this nation’s dreams on her shoulders, and finally two years ago she won the elusive major it so badly craved.
For 67 weeks from 2010-12 and briefly in 2018, she was the world number one, and for a decade she has been one of the most famous female sportspeople on the planet – a testament to her strong personality as well as talent.
And the world will miss her father as well. Only last month, Piotr complained how his daughter had been overlooked for the Female Player of the Year award handed out by the Danish Tennis Association – an award she has won eleven times.
Clara Tauson, who in 2019 advanced several hundred places up the world rankings to as high as number 265, was preferred to Wozniacki, who in contrast struggled last year, winning only one tournament – her 30th and final title.
Inter business already
Christian Eriksen has already played twice since moving from Tottenham Hotspur to Inter last week in a deal worth around 150 million kroner. Eriksen, who had less than six months left on his contract, notched up 69 goals and 89 assists in 305 games.
Ebbe and flow
Former Brøndby and Schalke 04 striker Ebbe Sand will assist Danish coach Åge Hareide at Euro 2020 this summer following the departure of Jon Dahl Tomasson. Sand has signed a short-term deal as Hareide’s contract expires in July.
Toft top of the lot
With 43 percent of the 18,548 votes, Denmark’s Sandra Toft has been voted the best female handball keeper in the world for 2019 by Handball Planet.
Brøndby fans see red
Brøndby fans are reportedly horrified that Red Bull might be eyeing a stake in the Superliga club – particularly as the energy drink giant has a track record of introducing its branding. BIF chairman Jan Bech Andersen has denied any contact with the company.
Badminton final woe
Anders Antonsen lost in the final of the Indonesia Masters to local favourite Anthony Ginting. A round earlier, the badminton star had knocked out his compatriot Viktor Axelsen.
Across the Atlantic
Four Danish men recently set a new national record for rowing across the Atlantic. ‘Row for Veterans’ completed the 4,800 km journey in 37 days to raise funds for former Danish service people.
