Caroline Wozniacki: "Illness stopped me at the best moment of my career"

Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki gave an interview to Bild to analyze how difficult it was to deal with rheumatoid arthritis which completely changed her life. The 2018 Australian Open winner hopes to become a mother in the not-so-distant future.

About the diagnosis of the disease, she said: "I was in the prime of my career when I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I had won the Australian Open earlier this year. It was supposed to be my year, but on the eve of the US Open, I started experiencing a lot of joint pain, constant fatigue and other symptoms that I couldn't explain. I lost games that I should have won easily."

Wozniacki also said how has this disease affected her life: "It was very difficult. I couldn't lift my sore arms, shoulders, elbows, hands, feet ... It was very difficult for me to even comb my hair or get out of bed. One day I woke up in such severe pain that my husband had to get me out of bed. I just couldn't move my body. I immediately sought medical attention and that was the beginning of this disease.

Caroline Wozniacki on training and her future

My husband and family were very helpful after this tough news. It was not an easy time. Before I was diagnosed, it was a rollercoaster of emotions because I didn't know how to explain the symptoms I was having to these people. Sometimes I felt really lonely, but my husband didn't let me give up. He encouraged me to keep looking for a reasonable explanation for my symptoms."

The Dane continues to train: "I still work with a personal trainer. I work out about four times a week. Strength and conditioning training is part of the training program I am following. I love taking long walks or running. I haven't played much, really. I must have played about twice since I retired in January. When everything gets back to normal and the girls from the circuit are in Florida, I'll play a little bit with them. I will spend a lot of time with them to catch up on everything."

About her future, Caroline Wozniacki said: "I know that this suffering will accompany me throughout my life. I have done a lot of research on this disease and my rheumatologist has developed a long term plan. I look forward to my future. I would like to be a mother and start a family with David. It's my dream," she concluded.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3hy9Oi8