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Former Australian Open champion and ex-fiance of Rory McIlroy, Caroline Wozniacki, has lashed out at television pundit Peter Bastiansen following sharp remarks about her potential retirement. The Dane has not competed in professional tennis since her defeat to Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia at the 2024 US Open. The 35-year-old originally announced her tennis retirement following the 2020 Australian Open - the same tournament where she secured her sole grand slam triumph in 2018. However, in 2023, after welcoming daughter Olivia, four, and son James, three, Wozniacki made her comeback - revealing her decision that summer through a personal piece for Vogue. The WTA star delivered impressive displays, reaching the US Open's fourth round in both that year and 2024. She also progressed to the quarter-finals at Indian Wells - a competition frequently called 'the fifth grand slam'. Wozniacki welcomed her third child with former NBA star husband David Lee in July. She has not made any public declaration regarding her tennis return after more than a year away from competition since her September 2024 loss to Haddad Maia, and this quiet approach has drawn criticism from ex-Danish player Bastiansen. "I can't understand why she doesn't announce it," he told Danish outlet B.T. "I mean, what's the point of not doing so? "She's never, ever coming back to top-level tennis. That ship has sailed. Why doesn't she just say it? There's nothing wrong or unnatural about that. All great sports stars make such announcements, so I just don't get it." Bastiansen further stated he would 'fall off his chair' if she played Down Under, adding: "It would be a parody if she did. It would be deeply unserious. I can't see why the organisers would even bother to give her a wildcard." Wozniacki swiftly hit back at the dig on social media. "It's now been more than 20 years that Peter Bastiansen has bullied me and attacked me personally in the media, talking about things he doesn't understand," she said in an Instagram story post over a screenshot of his article. "Peter, you're a clown, and as a so-called "tennis expert", you should know the rules. It can be hard to keep track of them when you've never played at a high level yourself. But I have a frozen ranking of world No. 71, which means I don't need wildcards to enter the big tournaments. "After many years of hard training and top-level tennis, I have the right to do what's best for my family. I don't understand why TV 2, B.T and other media outlets keep using his quotes when there are many far better experts in Denmark ." When asked for a response to Wozniacki's remarks, Bastiansen told the same outlet that he had no desire to engage in a 'war of words' with the 30-time WTA title-winner. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
