“It wasn’t a clearance, it was a reduced sentence,” Serena Williams’ best friend Caroline Wozniacki takes a stern step away from supporting Simona Halep’s wildcard

Wozniacki wishes for a cleaner sport and to not hand wildcards to players returning from doping suspensions.

“It wasn’t a clearance, it was a reduced sentence,” Serena Williams’ best friend Caroline Wozniacki takes a stern step away from supporting Simona Halep’s wildcard

Caroline Wozniacki and Simona Halep (Images via IMAGO)

World No. 129 Caroline Wozniacki has made a great start to her campaign at the 2024 Miami Open. Playing in the main draw via a wildcard, the Dane registered a straight-set win in the first round on Tuesday. Post her win though, Wozniacki had some strong words for the returning former World No. 1 player Simona Halep.

Wozniacki was up against France’s Clara Burel and went on to defeat her 6-1, 6-4 to advance into the second round. She won the match in 78 minutes and entered the second round for the 13th time in her 13th appearance at the WTA-1000 event.

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As the opening day in Miami also marked the return of Simona Halep, Wozniacki was asked her opinion on the Romanian’s wildcard. As the CAS reduced Halep’s sentence, which meant she could return immediately, the Miami Open organizers were quick to hand a wildcard to the former French Open winner.

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The decision was met with mixed reactions from many, given Halep was found guilty of breaching the guidelines. The subject of wildcards often leads to debate as organizers want big names while many believe young players should be given the chance. Wozniacki had a similar take on the incident.

She clarified that she had nothing against Halep, personally claiming they have had a good relationship. But she still felt, according to her opinion and ethics, the sport should always be played cleanly. Awarding wildcards to players returning after doping suspension sets a wrong precedent for the younger players. 

Again, this is not directly at Simona, but if someone purposely cheats, if someone has tested positive for doping. I understand why a tournament wants a big star in the tournament, but it's my personal belief, and it's not a knock on anyone, but it's my personal belief that I don't think people should be awarded wild cards afterwards.
Wozniacki speaking in the press conference. 
If you want to come back, and it's been a mistake, I understand, you should work your way up from the bottom. That's my personal opinion upon things. Simon's situation has obviously dragged on for a long time. She got her suspension reduced. It wasn't a clearance, it was a reduced sentence.
added the Dane.

Caroline Wozniacki emphasizes on having a clean sport

The Dane had a clear vision of how she wanted the sport to be played out. Given the global reach of tennis and the popularity of its players, Caroline Wozniacki felt it was the responsibility of the players and the authorities to create good role models.

Caroline Wozniacki
Caroline Wozniacki(Image via IMAGO)

She further went on to comment on the need for a ‘fair fight’ within the sport. Wozniacki also commented on being cautious about everything that she takes in given the strict rules over doping and why that honesty is needed. 

She's now been off of the game for a while and she's coming back. Again, I just hope for a clean sport. That's all I want. I want to have good role models for the young generation. It's a sport that has a lot of money in it, a lot of competitiveness, a lot of competitors. I want a fair fight. I've always been a very honest athlete and always looked at everything that I've taken.
Wozniacki further said

A mother of two, Wozniacki also briefly touched upon raising her kids with a similar mindset. Given that she is married to David Lee, a former basketball player, the possibility of their kids going into sports is quite high. But the Dane wished they would also take the righteous and ethical path.

Wozniacki will now take on 32nd-seeded Anhelina Kalinina in the second round. It will be the first-ever meeting between the two players. Kalinina had a bye in the first round owing to her seeding.

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