Australian Open 2024: Caroline Wozniacki says none of current women’s top 10 would beat Serena Williams

A former Australian Open champion has delivered a damning reality check about the quality at the top of women’s tennis, declaring none of this year’s top 10 would trouble Serena Williams.

Serena Williams of the US celebrates at the end of the first set against Venus Williams of the US during the women's singles final on day 13 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 28, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / PAUL CROCK / IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE

Former Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki has highlighted the giant void left by Serena Williams, claiming no player in the current women’s top 10 would be able to beat the tennis great when she was at her peak.

As she gets set to embark on her own comeback at the Australian Open after a four-year break from the tournament, the Danish star said none of the top players on the women’s tour now could compare to the American legend.

Williams made her last grand slam appearance at the US Open in 2022 in the last chapter of a decorated tennis career which delivered 23 major singles titles – seven of which came at Melbourne Park.

Wozniacki, who returns to the Australian Open as a mum of two for the first time since 2020 after being granted a wildcard, was asked for her thoughts on the top 10 now compared to when she was last on tour.

Poland’s world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina and American pair Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula headline the women’s top 10 entering the opening grand slam of the 2024 season.

Serena Williams and her sister Venus after they faced off in the Australian Open final in 2017.

But Wozniacki said Williams at her best could not be matched by any of them.

“I think it’s hard to … compare the old top 10 with the new top 10,” Wozniacki said.

“Obviously a few of the players that are in the top 10 now or top of the game were playing when the old top 10 was there.

“I mean, you can’t really compare someone to Serena, in my opinion. I think when Serena was on, when she was playing her best tennis, I don’t think anyone here would be able to beat her. I’m saying that with having played basically anyone on tour.

“With that being said, I think we have very strong players, players that are performing at a very high level. I think we’re pushing tennis in the right direction. I think there’s a lot more players that are playing on a very high level. That’s been a continuous thing for quite a while now.

“Again, I think it’s hard to compare apples with pears. The old top 10 had the greatest of all time, if not of all tennis, but female and women’s tennis. It’s hard to be compared to her.”

Caroline Wozniacki and Serena Williams take a selfie in 2020. Picture: Michael Bradley/AFP.

The 2018 Australian Open champion, Wozniacki will face Poland’s No. 20 seed Magda Linnette in the first round at Melbourne Park after a successful grand slam return last year when she reached the fourth-round at Flushing Meadows.

“Anytime I step on a court, I believe I can win the match no matter who the opponent is across the net,” Wozniacki said.

“I think I’m playing well. My body feels pretty good. Yeah, again, it’s a long way to go. I’m just going to focus on my first-round opponent and kind of go from there. That’s always been my mindset.

“I do believe that I’m playing very well.

“(Melbourne Park) it’s definitely a special place for me. I always really enjoyed playing here. Coming back here, obviously winning the tournament, it’s something that I don’t take for granted. It’s really great to have the opportunity to play again.”

Serena Williams enjoys a win during the 2021 Australian Open.

Among several mums returning at the Australian Open, Wozniacki, who travels with her children, admitted it had been a challenge juggling her on and off-court roles.

“For me, personally, I don’t think I realised how much kind of goes into motherhood,” the former world No. 1 said.

“Obviously my parents had me and my brother, they never had help.

“But it’s a lot of hard work. They (children) have a lot of energy. You have to figure out things to do with them all the time.

“It’s hard. It feels like you have two full-time jobs basically. For me, I choose to have them with me everywhere. That’s a personal decision. I couldn’t be without them for weeks at a time because they change so rapidly. I want to be there.

“Finding that balance and being able to do both, I know there’s thousands and thousands of women out there that have full-time jobs and are also moms, but it’s hard.

“Sometimes I pat myself on the back, ‘You’re doing good, we’re okay’. Some days it’s survival; some days we’re thriving. We’re getting through one day at a time and the kids are happy.”