WTA: Caroline Wozniacki suffers from rheumatoid arthritis

Australian Open winner Caroline Wozniacki (28) suffers from the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis. She announced this during the WTA Finals at her last press conference.

The disease, which causes swelling and fatigue, was diagnosed before the US Open in August. She is very proud of how positively she handles it and confident that her career will not be significantly impaired, Wozniacki said.

The 28-year-old had won the Australian Open at the beginning of the season, her first Grand Slam tournament. In Singapore, she retired as defending champion with one win and two defeats in the group stage.

“Ultimately, it’s not ideal for anyone and certainly not for me as a professional athlete,” said Wozniacki. “But fortunately, there are great things to do about the disease these days.” Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common inflammatory disease of the joints. Wozniacki has been in treatment since August and is on medication.

The third in the world rankings is not the only top player on the women’s tour to have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. The seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams from the USA (38) has been suffering for years from the so-called Sjögren syndrome with symptoms similar to those of Wozniacki’s disease. The older of the two Williams sisters fights successfully against the disease with a strict diet.