'I think we keep evolving' - defending champion Wozniacki reflects on 2018 WTA Finals field

SINGAPORE - Defending champion Caroline played her first BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global as a 19 year old; nearly a decade later, she is the only one from that Elite Eight to make it to Singapore in 2018, and that’s a longevity of which the Dane cab be proud.

“I think the players that I played against in 2009, a lot of them are not playing anymore,” she noted during her All Access Hour press conference on Saturday. “I think it was Zvonareva, Dementieva. Serena is obviously playing and still playing very well.

“It's like half of the players, either don't play, are just coming back, are not playing at all and had kids and all that, or a lot has changed. Some of them are still here ten years later.”

Making her sixth appearance at the WTA Finals, Wozniacki has played some of her best tennis when the event was in Singapore, reaching the semifinals back in 2014 - narrowly losing to Williams in a third-set tie-break - and winning the title last fall against Serena’s sister Venus. The result was seen as a springboard, one Wozniacki used to win her long-awaited first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.

“It's fun to see, and it's definitely different kind of tennis, as well. I think we keep evolving. I think every year it gets tougher. It's just fun to be back here and think about how my career has lasted a long time.”

Since winning in Melbourne, the former World No.1 won a grass court title at the Nature Valley International in Eastbourne, and turned around a tough hardcourt swing with a win at the China Open, her first on the Premier Mandatory level since the BNP Paribas Open in 2011.

“I'm very happy. I think winning in China was a big step for me. You know, I feel good and excited for here. It's obviously a tough challenge, but I'm looking forward to it.”

That first challenge comes against rival Karolina Pliskova, whom she beat at this event last year in the semifinals and leads 6-3 in their overall head-to-head.

Before taking the court for matches, Wozniacki had the chance to catch up with childhood friend and fellow top seed Angelique Kerber during the Iconic Photoshoot, player selfie, and subsequent Gala evening at the Marina Bay Sands.

“We go out for dinners and have a drink every tournament basically. And by ‘drink’ I mean like a coffee or tea or something every tournament. It's nice to be able to catch up and just talk. It’s great how the girls that you have known since we were maybe ten years old. It's cool this progress we have all made.”

Where major tournaments sometimes encourage isolation from fellow players, Wozniacki embraces the group atmosphere of the WTA Finals, one that allows the Elite Eight to spend time together before doing battle at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

“It's different here. It's kind of a celebration of everyone's season. Everyone is excited to be here and also to play this last tournament, give it a go and try their best and go on vacation after.

“We all do these events together, whereas before the slams, some people have events to do; other people don't. Some people like to go out for dinner; some people don't. But here, whether you like to go or not, we all go together and do it as a group.”

Wozniacki takes on Pliskova in the second match of White Group play on Sunday evening.