ASB Classic: Caroline Wozniacki Will Play First Round Match Against Second Seed Elina Svitolina

Beginning on January 1–7, 2024, Caroline Wozniacki, the former world No. 1 player, will take against Elina Svitolina, the second seed, in the women’s ASB Classic first round.

After taking a break to focus on her family, Wozniacki, a former dominating force in women’s tennis, returned in August 2023 and was granted a wildcard entrance with her current ranking of No. 249. The Ukrainian, who was drawn against Svitolina and was ranked last, acknowledged that the draw was difficult but was excited about the difficult match and said she had been wanting to play against Wozniacki ever since she heard about her return.

Svitolina told ASB Classic, “It’s going to be a tough one, but really looking forward to this match.” “I always wanted to play against Caroline as soon as I learned she was returning.” That one is sure to be thrilling.

The excitement surrounding the draw went beyond the court when Svitolina unintentionally chose the numbered discs for the ceremony, which resulted in a surprise matchup with Wozniacki. Svitolina accepted the luck of the draw and had a philosophical attitude despite the inconvenience.

Svitolina said, “I was just doing my job; I didn’t realize.” “But then I realized that those two were just close, but it’s okay, that’s my luck.”

To make things even more complicated, the victor of this battle of the titans may face Emma Raducanu, the British star who hasn’t played since April.

Raducanu, who gained notoriety in 2021 after winning the US Open for the first time, said that she was excited to play competitive tennis again in Auckland.

Yes, I do feel somewhat rejuvenated. I feel joyful, enthusiastic, prepared, and invigorated. I feel lighter and more optimistic overall. Raducanu was cited as stating during a press conference, “I think that for two years after the US Open, I felt maybe a bit more like weight on my shoulders, but now I feel completely fresh.”

“It’s good not to be wearing three casts, so you know, you really appreciate little things like being able to fix your own hair and be able to move about and shower. I’m simply glad to be playing again, she continued.

The uneven draw presented a difficulty, as the tournament’s director, Nicolas Lamperin, noted, but he also highlighted the excitement that the competition promised from the first day. Svitolina, Wozniacki, Raducanu, and Amanda Anisimova—a past French Open semifinalist—formed a formidable bottom quarter that Lamperin used to emphasize the game’s advantages.

“I anticipated the final match (Wozniacki v Svitolina) and knew it would come,” Lamperin said. But as we have said from the start, the goal of the competition is to provide thrilling matches from the first round with the stars we have. Tennis fans may enjoy a whole week of competition rather than just the semifinals and final.