Caroline Wozniacki played the final match of her 15-year career Friday, fighting to the very last ball as she has done throughout her career in a tight 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 loss to Ons Jabeur of Tunisia.
After the match, Wozniacki spoke with reporters to try to put into words her emotions and to look back on the highlights of her career.
Q. In terms of the match itself, the way that it ended, a bit sudden. I can imagine you're locked into competition mode. Forty-five seconds later everything flips. Do you think that impacts a little bit the processing of the last hour?
Caroline Wozniacki: No. You know, I'm always that person that, even when I'm down a lot, I've always believed that I can come back and win.
I don't think it mattered for me so much what the score was. I think, throughout the match, there were a couple of times where I was like, 'Shoot, this could be my last one.' It was just like, 'I don't want it to be the last one. I want to be out there fighting.' I fought like my life depended on it. It is just what it is.
I think the result today doesn't matter to me as much as the way that I fought, that I gave it everything. I wanted to be out there. I did everything. I think that shows how my career, throughout my career, that's what I'm known for.
It's exciting. It's terrifying. It's a lot of emotions at the same time. But I'm happy. I'm very happy. Even though I was crying a lot earlier, it really wasn't sad tears. I think just happy tears. It's a lot to have the family here with me, too. It means a lot.
Q. Fifteen-year career, so many ups, so many downs, matches. What do you think you've really learned from this experience?
Caroline Wozniacki: I've learned so much. I wouldn't be the person I am today without all those experiences.
I think the main thing I've learned is no matter where you're from, no matter what color of your skin, no matter if you're tall or short, big or small, doesn't matter. If you have a dream and you go for it and work hard, anything is possible.
I had a dream when I was a kid. I wanted to win a Grand Slam. I wanted to be No. 1 in the world. People thought that I was crazy, being from a small country. But I made it happen. I worked so hard for it every single day. I'm very, very proud of that.
Q. When you did choose to retire here in the Australian Open, did you expect at all what happened today? Was it more or less what you thought? Or today was there something that happened that you didn't expect, that surprised you?
Caroline Wozniacki: I don't know. I think you never know how you're going to react or what's going to happen until the last ball is hit.
I think what happened today was perfect. It was a packed stadium. People stood up. There was 'Sweet Caroline' through the microphones. People were clapping. I had the Danish flag at my back. I had my family there. I had people closest to me were all here or watching on TV and supporting me.
I don't think I could have scripted it any better. I think it was the perfect moment.
Q. You mentioned your family. What was it like when they came down on the court with you?
Caroline Wozniacki: Well, I'm not a big crier, but I think when the family came down, I saw my dad pacing himself, that's what he does when he tries not to get emotional. Then my mom was bawling. She had sunglasses on. My brother was shaking. I think that caught me, I got emotional.
Obviously, looking at David just smiling, crying, being excited all at once. I think it was just a very special moment. I just tried to take it all in. It's probably going to be a moment I will never forget.
Q. You're 29, which is still quite young for a professional tennis player. A lot of people would be asking why. Is there any extent to which you're second-guessing this decision?
Caroline Wozniacki: I think any professional tennis player that has played knows how hard it is to get to the top, knows how hard it is to stay at the top.
I looked at myself and I said, 'I'm ready.' I don't think anyone, no matter the age, how long you've played—and I've played for a long time—one day you look at yourself, and I said, 'I'm ready, I'm ready for the next chapter, I'm ready to do something else. I'm ready to not have a schedule, pushing myself to the limits every single day.'
There's so much that tennis has given me. I've learned so much. I'm so thankful. But I think life outside of tennis will be equally as exciting.
I don't think it's goodbye forever. I think you'll still see me around tournaments sometimes—not on the court, but maybe doing something off court.
I think I'm just excited to see what the next chapter brings. I think there's a lot that's going to happen, even things I can't even think about right now.
