Wozniacki: “It’s interesting that the tournament tries to do something different”

The Dane reached the final in the first edition of the Mutua Madrid Open in 2009 and returns to the tournament this year more confident than ever

Caroline Wozniacki, who was a finalist in the 2009 Mutua Madrid Open, returns to the WTA Premier Mandatory competition this year as the sixth seed and is full of confidence ahead of her first round match against Ksenia Pervak.

You surprised everyone two years ago when at just 18 years of age you reached the Madrid final. What are your memories of that tournament?

It was a really great tournament for me, I played really well and just enjoyed it. I remember standing up there after losing to Safina, but Roger and Rafa were on the podium with me, so it was a great moment.

That year you weren’t among the favourites to win the title but came close to winning it. Do you think that you have a chance of winning this year seeing as how most of the attention is being focused on Kvitova, Azarenka and Sharapova?

I always believe that I have a chance of winning any tournament I enter.

That tournament really launched you onto the scene as one of the best in the world and you reached the number one spot in the rankings shortly after. Did you expect to have so much success so early on in your career?

You always hope and you always dream big but I have already achieved so much at a very young age and hopefully I have a very bright future ahead of me as well.

How are you finding the start of your clay season?

I’m looking forward to playing the upcoming tournaments. There are some really nice tournaments coming up so I’m enjoying it.

You have been able to try out the blue clay courts. What were your first impressions?

I think it’s a really nice colour and it may be a little bit faster than the normal ones, but I think it’s interesting that tournament tries to do something different.

Caroline, what are your main goals for this year?

Just to try to do my best and to win as much as possible.

What differences are there between Wozniacki two years ago and right now?

I’m older and I have more experience and I have achieved more now than I did two years ago.

In your opinion what’s the worst thing about being a tennis player?

I don’t think there are any bad things. You can be happy and travel the world, but of course it’s not always easy waking up in the morning to practice and give 100%. It’s a short career though and I’m just enjoying every moment of it. I’ve been on the tour for quite a while and the time is flying. One day, before you know it, your career is done and then you have to figure out something else to do.