Interview: Caroline Wozniacki

Wozniacki sported a Liverpool shirt signed by her hero Steven Gerrard as she warmed up on court in Doha [AFP]

There’s no pleasing some people.

Caroline Wozniacki is 20 years old and the world’s number one women’s tennis player – the first Dane to achieve that accolade.

She has won 13 WTA singles titles, and reached the final of the US Open in 2009.

But the consensus seems to be that you’re not really the world number one unless you have a US Open – or any of the other three Grand Slams – already in the trophy cabinet.

Wozniacki became so tired of being asked how it felt to be number one without having a Grand Slam that she said she was “relieved” when she briefly dropped to number two this month after Kim Clijsters won the Australian Open.

That tournament also saw mixed reaction from the media when she spun them a fictional tale about being injured by a baby kangaroo.

Now back at the top after winning the Dubai Championships, Wozniacki is answering the same old questions.

Al Jazeera attempted to avoid at least some of those in a sit-down interview with the Dane after she beat Flavia Pennetta in the quarter-finals of the Qatar Ladies Open on Thursday.

Wozniacki with the finalist’s trophy after losing to Clijsters in the 2009 US Open [GALLO/GETTY]

Al Jazeera: You have a strange relationship with the media. You seem open and engaging in press conferences, but then you are accused of being boring. What’s going on?

Wozniacki: I don’t know. I’m myself, I’m an open person, I like to have fun and I’m enjoying myself. But the media has to do their job. I’m just waiting for some interesting questions. If you get the same questions every time it can be boring after a while. If it’s like this now, I’m thinking what will it be like after 10 years?

You’ve said you’re happy to be number one, or number two, and if you win a Grand Slam that’s great. But you still get asked about it. What answer do you think people are looking for?

I’m not sure what they’re looking for. I think I know what they want to write. But they’ll never get the answer that they’re looking for, which is for me to say I’m not good enough.

In Britain, Tim Henman used to get slated for not winning Grand Slams. Now Andy Murray gets it. Is there a case of, “hang on, I’m by far the best in my country and I’m being criticised for it”? Do you get the same?

It will always be like that, even when he wins. When Andy wins a Grand Slam they will say, “it’s only one”. Then it will be, “he’s only won two”. It will never be enough. But the fans and people back home see we’re doing so well, and they just want more from our results.

You seem to be a grateful winner and a graceful loser. Is that something you’ve worked on or part of your upbringing?

“It will always be like that, even when he wins. When Andy wins a Grand Slam they’ll say, ‘it’s only one’. Then it will be, ‘he’s only won two’. It will never be enough” Wozniacki on Scottish tennis player Andy Murray

I hate losing, but once you have lost you can’t really do anything about it. You just keep your head high and try to do better next time. There’s no point digging yourself in a hole.

You just wore a Liverpool shirt on court signed by Steven Gerrard. Why do you support Liverpool?

I’ve been supporting them for a long time already. I love the way they play and at Anfield, when you go it’s fantastic. Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres were my favourites but now Torres has gone to Chelsea (makes sad face). But I’m pleased with the two new strikers.

You are trekking in Nepal and meet a nomad who believes you are a guru sent from heaven. What is the one piece of life wisdom you would give him?

(Long pause) Be happy, enjoy what you’re doing and no regrets.

Would you rather win all four Grand Slams or score the winner for Liverpool in the European Cup final against Manchester United?

I’ll take the Grand Slams.

What if, when you won the Grand Slams, you had to get married to (Liverpool defender) Jamie Carragher?

What? Is that meant to be good or bad?

I’m just trying to balance up the options a bit.

I’m not answering that one.