Enforced rest helps Caroline Wozniacki to the biggest title of her career in WTA Finals

Caroline Wozniacki said an extended injury break last year was a crucial factor behind her WTA Finals victory, an echo of this season’s brilliant comebacks by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

The former world number one beat Venus Williams for the first time in eight attempts to seal the biggest title of her career at the prestigious season finale in Singapore on Sunday.

It’s an outcome that seemed unlikely just over 12 months ago, when Wozniacki languished at number 74 after struggling to return from a major ankle injury sustained early in 2016.

But the 27-year-old Dane, who appeared fresh and hungry as she lost just once in five matches in Singapore, said the 10-week lay-off was a blessing in disguise.

Woznaicki pulled out of the Prudential Hong Kong Open two weeks ago, moments before she was to take the court, citing an elbow injury.

“I strongly believe everything happens for a reason and maybe I wouldn’t be here if that (injury) wouldn’t have happened,” she said after her 6-4, 6-4 win.