Caroline Wozniacki finished her 2014 season on a high with a runner-up appearance at the U.S. Open and a semifinal showing at the WTA Finals in Singapore. Many thought 2015 was going to be her year, but it was not to be for the Dane. Wozniacki finished the year at number 17 in the world, her lowest season-ending ranking since 2007.
Win-Loss Record
Wozniacki posted a 39-23 win-loss record for the season, compared to 49-19 in the previous year. She failed to reach the quarterfinals 14 times out of 24 tournaments. The second round was the end of her tournament nine times during 2015.
High Points
Stuttgart in April was by far the best week of the Dane's season. She defeated two Top 10 players, Carla Suárez Navarro and Simona Halep, and made the final. It was her first clay court final since making the final at the very same tournament four years prior. Although she was narrowly beaten by Angelique Kerber after having served for the title in the third set, it was still a hugely positive tournament for Wozniacki. She showcased the same brand of aggressive play which had brought her a lot of of success during the second half of 2014. In addition to Stuttgart, the former world number one reached the finals in Kuala Lumpur and Auckland, taking home the trophy in the former.
Low Points
Wozniacki did poorly at majors, falling in the second round in three of the four main tournaments of the year. At the start of the year at the Australian Open, the Dane was considered a significant contender for the title. She was dealt with a rough draw, facing a another former number one coming back from an injury-laden year. Wozniacki would face Victoria Azarenka in the second round, who would beat Wozniacki in straight sets. At the U.S. Open, the Dane suffered an especially devastating loss. She faced an inspired Petra Cetkovska, who would defeat Wozniacki in a third set tiebreak. 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (1).
The whole North American summer hard court season, typically one of her best stretches of the year, was a nightmare for Wozniacki. She lost her opening matches in Stanford, Toronto and Cincinnati. Wozniacki dealt with various nagging injuries throughout the season, including problems with her lower back and left wrist. She had to retire three times during a match in Sydney, Eastbourne and Zhuhai.
Best Results
Along with her previously mentioned three finals, the former world number one made four other semifinal appearances in Dubai, Eastbourne, New Haven and Tokyo. The Dane scored four Top 10 wins on the season. Two would come in Stuttgart, one in Madrid (defeating Agnieszka Radwanska) and another one in Tokyo against Kerber. The Kerber win would avenge her loss in Stuttgart earlier in the season.
Worst Results
Without a question, Wozniacki's three second round losses in Grand Slams were her most disappointing ones. At Wimbledon, she did well to reach the fourth round, but was still unable to reach the quarterfinals for the first time there. Following her U.S. Open loss, Wozniacki discussed her under whelming second half of the season, saying "First training back I hurt my calf, so U.S. Open Series is the time when I love to play and where I normally play my best tennis. Not being able to do that was frustrating." She continued: "Then U.S. Open a little bit unlucky, my opponent played well, a little bit of everything having match points and not winning that."
"It's been really, really frustrating," the Dane commented on her overall season. "Basically just been falling apart physically with the knee and back and leg and wrist."
Grade: D
Wozniacki didn't have a bad first half of the season, but her Grand Slam performances and struggles in the second half quickly turned things sour. If she stays healthy, there is absolutely no reason why the 25-year-old won't be able to come back in impressive fashion and return to the top next year.