Here is why Caroline Wozniacki didn't play Australian Open 2025 and whether retirement is imminent

Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki has expressed optimism about playing professional tennis despite missing the ongoing Australian Open. The 34-year-old, who was once regarded as one of the best players in the world, was one of the most high-profile players to miss the first Grand Slam of the year.

Wozniacki has been recently quoted in a report where she explained the reason behind missing the Australian Open this year. The former world number one also expressed optimism that she will be able to return to the court soon.

“I hope so,” she said while responding to a question about whether she will return to the court. “My body was not feeling great. When I started pre-season training I was struggling with my body a little bit. I have rheumatoid arthritis so it’s been an ongoing battle but I am hoping with a little break I will be back again soon.”

Wozniacki returned to the court in 2023 despite announcing in 2022 that she would bid farewell to tennis. Her return, however, did not go as planned, as the Odense-born failed to produce positive results consistently. In 2024, Wozniacki played 29 matches, winning 16 matches and suffering defeats 13 times.

Last year, her best outing came at the Indian Wells, where she was knocked out after being forced to retire against world number two Iga Swiatek. The final score of the match was 6-4, 1-0. Her last appearance in professional tennis came in August at the US Open, where she lost in the fourth round to Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia with a score of 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.