The Dane collapsed to the ground in tears after Simona Halep found the net on match point in the Australian Open final.
Caroline Wozniacki thought “this can’t be real” as she finally won her first Grand Slam title Saturday and regained world number one status for the first time in six years.
Wozniacki threw her racquet in the air and collapsed to the ground in tears after battling Simona Halep found the net on match point in the Australian Open final.
“On that match point I thought this can’t be real. It wasn’t just being Australian Open champion, it was Grand Slam champion and world No 1,” said the Dane after finally triumphing in her 43rd Grand Slam tournament.
“There’s a lot going through your mind at that point. You’re like, ‘No, I had an opportunity.’
“I should have hit it a little bit differently. When I saw that ball go into the net, it was crazy emotional.”
It was the climax of a thrilling 7-6 (7/2), 3-6,6-4 win against the tough Romanian top seed after 2hr 49min of a gruelling encounter played in high heat and humidity on Rod Laver Arena.
“It was such a tough grind. It was very hot out there. I think both of us were very tired in the end,” said Wozniacki, 27, who recorded her fifth – and most important – victory against Halep in seven career meetings.
The Dane also set a new record for the longest gap between stints at the top since computerised rankings were introduced in 1975, eclipsing Serena Williams’s record of five years and 29 days.
“Obviously that’s very special. I think being new Grand Slam champion and world No 1 sounds pretty good,” said Wozniacki. “I’m very excited for that. It’s a dream come true.”
Both players needed medical attention during the brutal encounter in energy-sapping conditions so hot there was a 10-minute “extreme heat” break between second and third sets.
“I was thinking, If I am tired right now… I know she’s tired, too,” said Wozniacki.
“Every time I was like, ‘Oh, I can’t do this anymore, I’m exhausted.’
“And we were playing all these crazy long rallies, I was thinking, ‘OK, I’m looking over there, she looks a little tired, she must be feeling the exact same way or maybe more tired than me’.”
It was a relief, she said, to talk to reporters and not be asked when she was going to win a Grand Slam. Wozniacki previously lost finals in New York in 2009 and 2014.
“Honestly, I think that’s one of the most positive things about all of this. I’m never going to get that question again,” she said with the trophy proudly by her side.
“Regardless, I think I’ve had an incredible career. The end of the day, I think a lot of people would like to be in my position. Nobody knows how much work, dedication you put into it.
“I’m just waiting for the question, ‘When are you going to win the second one?’” she said, laughing.
“Right now I’m just happy I have this one, and I’m going to really enjoy this moment.”
How do you define success? The typical picture of success is a large bank balance, expensive material possessions and fame. But for some, success is happiness that comes from fulfilling a childhood dream or attaining a sense of purpose. For those, success is not about the volume of an applause or the weight of a gold medal, but about showing gratitude and sharing success with the people without whom the journey would be incomplete. Here are a few ways you can share your success with others:
While it sounds simple and formulaic, a genuine, emphatic and honest speech can make everyone feel like they are a part of a winning team. For a personal touch, acknowledge the team’s efforts by mentioning each one of them by name and thanking them for their unique contributions. Hearing their own name makes people feel proud and honoured.
Instead of basking in the glory of their own achievements, good leaders encourage, motivate and inspire others to achieve success. A good leader should acknowledge his own mistakes, share his experience and knowledge and cultivate an environment where every milestone is an accomplishment for everyone in the team. Talk about challenges, the personal and professional struggles that you had to overcome. Sharing setbacks helps others to relate to you and helps them overcome struggles they may be facing.
Nothing beats shaking-off the deadlines, work-pressure and fatigue by celebrating success together. Enjoying a job well done together as a team brings about a spirit of camaraderie. A catered lunch, evening drinks or a weekend off-site, the important thing is to enjoy the win with people who have gone through the same struggle.
The last thing you want is for work celebrations to become monotonous and repetitive. Not all milestones have to be celebrated in a grand manner, some can just be acknowledged with gestures such as personal Thank You notes or writing a recommendation on LinkedIn.
Go beyond numbers, sales targets and profits and add meaning to the achievement. Reminding everyone of the larger purpose inspires people. It’s easy to lose interest when you do something in a routine fashion. Giving a larger meaning to success makes people feel more involved and energized.
Great leaders are those who share their victories with others. They acknowledge that the path to success is collaborative. Great leaders don’t stand in front of their team, but are found working amongst them. This video is an ode to such leaders who epitomise the Chivas culture and know how to Win The Right Way. Follow Chivas on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
This article was produced by the Scroll marketing team on behalf of Chivas Studio Music CDs and not by the Scroll editorial team.
