Caroline Wozniacki is hoping some fatherly advice can help her ditch her Grand Slam jinx.
The 20-year-old Dane saw another chance of winning a major title vanish ingloriously when she lost 6-1, 6-3 to Slovak veteran Daniela Hantuchova in Friday’s third round action at the French Open.
And once again the world number one’s inability to turn it on when it matters most was put under intense scrutiny.
The first person she turned to as she slumped off court was father and coach Piotr, who played pro football in Poland before he moved the family to Denmark where Wozniacki was born. “He just said, you know, ‘Daniela played better than you today,’” Wozniacki replied to a question.
“‘It’s a tough loss, and I know that it’s not fun for you right now, but it’s the sport and we know what we can do.
“I mean, the world still goes on and we still have the next tournament next week. There is nothing you can do about it now, so just don’t beat yourself up too much.’”
To date Wozniacki has played in 17 Grand Slam events with her best showing a run into the final at the US Open in 2009 when she lost to Kim Clijsters who was making her comeback from two years out of the game.
Still the wins keep coming in the regular WTA Tour events with another four this year at Dubai, Indian Wells, Charleston and Brussels and she has now held the world number one spot for all but one week since January.
Asked whether she was frustrated or mystified by all the talk about her failures to win a Grand Slam tournament, Wozniacki said that “everyone always has an opinion.”
“It doesn’t matter,” she said.
“When I was younger, people told me, yeah, yeah, right, you’ll never be a top player. You’re from Denmark. We don’t have the mentality. Blah, blah, blah.
“And, you know, it really doesn’t matter For me I know what I’m capable of. I know I’m a great player. I’m doing well, and, you know, I had a loss today. That’s what happens. I’ll be back even better.”
Wozniacki said she would take a few days off, possibly back home in Denmark, and then switch her focus fully on Wimbledon where she has reached the fourth round in the last two years.
“I definitely enjoy playing on grass. I think it’s a great surface,” she said.
“I’ve done well on it before, and I’m looking forward to going there.
“And I really enjoy the atmosphere. There is something homey about Wimbledon and living in a house and having the whole family there. “I think I can do well.”
