Caroline Wozniacki opens up on Battling Arthritis

The reigning Australian Open champion, Caroline Wozniacki is all set to embark upon the 2019 tennis season. As the year 2018 is about to end, Wozniacki looked back upon her year. Beyond the shadows of doubt, it was an exceptional year of her life. The Dane won a major and simultaneously turned World Number one.

Besides her much-awaited moment of life this year, Wozniacki was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease called, rheumatoid arthritis before the US Open. The disorder causes swelling of the joints and fatigue. During the off-season, Wozniacki worked upon her illness. Nevertheless, like an athlete fights his/her shortcomings, in a similar manner Wozniacki optimistically battles her obstacle.

Wozniacki tweets a profound message and with an affirm mind she is prepared for the new beginnings. “As I leave home to start a new season, I had a bit of time to reflect on a crazy 2018, and two things stood out. Starting off the season winning my first Grand Slam in Australia was a lifelong dream that was definitely worth the wait! Also, being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis after struggling physically for months, gave me a new challenge to overcome and a new mission to raise awareness for the disease. Bring on 2019, I am ready.”

“In the beginning it was a shock. Just you feel like you’re the fittest athlete out there, or that’s in my head, that’s what I’m known for, and all of a sudden you have this to work with,” she said initially when she was diagnosed with it. “It’s obviously not ideal for anybody and I think when you’re a professional athlete, it’s also not even more ideal. But you find a plan, figure out what to do, you do your research, and thankfully there are great things now that you can do to it and do about it. You just kind of move on from it and work through it and figure out how to deal with it and live with it.

Presently, the Danish champion holds the World Number 3 rank on the WTA list and she will be opening her at the ASB Classic in Auckland. Last year, she lost her match final to Julia Goerges in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6. The Dane is a two-time finalist in Auckland, and this year she aspires to move a step ahead and seize the title. “I love playing there,” Wozniacki said. “The crowds are always great and provide a lot of energy. I feel like I play well when I’m in New Zealand, making the finals twice, but I really want to take home the winners’ trophy!”