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Melbourne - Danish star Caroline Wozniacki played her 45th - and final - Australian Open match this week.
Her final career record in Melbourne stands at 34 wins and 11 defeats.
Wozniacki won her one and only Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in 2018. Her final press conference was both an emotional and an enlightening one.
Wozniacki expressed what an emotional
roller coaster it was when her final match ended - in a 5-7, 6-3, 5-7 defeat to Tunisia's Ons Jabeur.
”A lot of excitement. A little sadness. Just, you know, flashbacks to since I was a kid to this moment.
”The fact that it's gone so quick but at the same time it feels like I've been out here for a long time, it's been very special.
”Players come up to me and congratulating me. Just feeling the love from everyone has been very special.”
Wozniacki was ask to reflect on some of the key lessons during her extensive career.
”I think the main thing I've learned is no matter where you're from, no matter what the colour of your skin, no matter if you're tall or short, big or small, it 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.”
Was the moment of her final match what Wozniacki had imagined it would be?
”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 on my back. I had my family there. I had people closest to me 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.”
Asked to ponder on the legacy she will leave behind in the sport, Wozniacki had the following to say.
”I hope that people will think of me as a hard worker, someone that gave it everything every single day.
”I hope that I'll give inspiration even to the players from small countries that may have never had a world No 1 or a Grand Slam champion, someone in the top 10, that they can do it.”
What will Wozniacki remember most about Melbourne?
”I love Melbourne. It's such a special place in my heart. I got my Grand Slam here. I have amazing fans. It's known as the Happy Slam.
”I've gotten through some extremely hot days, some windy and cold days, a little bit of everything. I think a little bit like my career: I've experienced a little bit of everything.”
As a passionate Liverpool fan, Wozniacki will never walk alone. Sweet Caroline will certainly be missed during future Australian Opens and may the next chapter in her life be as exciting and as action packed as her tennis career has been.
Go well Caroline Wozniacki.
