Caroline Wozniacki says Australian Open win was 'meant to be', looks forward to celebrating with Serena Williams

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  • Caroline Wozniacki was still “overwhelmed” the day after her historic Australian Open title success and told reporters in Melbourne she felt her maiden Grand Slam triumph was “meant to be”.

    The 27-year-old became the first player – man or woman – from Denmark to lift a singles Grand Slam trophy when she defeated Simona Halep in three tight sets in scorching weather on Saturday.

    She got just one and a half hours of sleep on Saturday night before she met with reporters at the Royal Botanic Gardens on Sunday morning for a special photo shoot with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial trophy.

    “I’m just overwhelmed, excited, happy, a mix of a lot of emotions,” Wozniacki said.

    “I’m just soaking it all in. This doesn’t come every day, so when I have this opportunity and have these amazing days – I’m just really thrilled to be here.”

    Her friend Serena Williams was one of many athletes who took to social media to congratulate Wozniacki and the Dane is keen to reunite with the 23-time Grand Slam winner to celebrate her maiden success.

    “She sent me a great message last night too, just sent me a text. We’re very close. Her support means a lot. We’re definitely going to celebrate once I see her next,” said Wozniacki of Williams, who is set to return from her maternity leave at next week’s Fed Cup tie against the Netherlands.

    She added: “I’ve heard from the royal family yes, they congratulated me and are very thrilled for me so that was very exciting.”

    Wozniacki saved two match points in her second round win over Jana Fett and came ever so close to packing her bags early and leaving Melbourne.

    “It’s a bit of a roller coaster, but after I got through that match I had nothing to lose anymore and I guess it was meant to be,” said Wozniacki.

    Her epic battle with Halep in the final lasted two hours and 49 minutes in brutal heat, and the Romanian was reportedly taken to the hospital on Saturday night and was treated for four hours for dehydration before getting released on Sunday morning.

    “By the third set I think we were both too exhausted. It was just two warriors out there just trying to be the last woman standing. I think it really helped not to get too nervous closing it out, I was like ‘okay, I’m so tired, you just have a few points more to go’ and that was really my thought. And I thought we both played amazing tennis, Simona’s a great fighter and I’m sure that she’ll have many more opportunities in the future,” said Wozniacki, who was not told about Halep’s condition during her chat with reporters.

    “It was warm out there. I think we both felt it, especially towards the end of the third set. We’d been battling for hours out there but I think it made it very special. Australia, we expect the heat, we expect being out there in warm conditions so I think it was a perfect end to the tournament.”

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