Such is life on the professional tour where one season you’re considered one of the favorites at the Grand Slams and the next, you’re among the ranks of the unseeded, ready to knock off the players that are once where you were.
These five players on the WTA Tour, who’ve had success at the Australian Open and beyond on their way to the top 10, will be looking to knock off a slew of higher-ranked players early on and set the tone for the tournament. (All photos: Getty Images)
1
Caroline Wozniacki
Could a fairytale ending be in store for the former world No. 1 in Melbourne? This is the last tournament of a Hall-of-Fame-worthy career for Wozniacki, and the 2018 champion at the event could be in for a somewhat-lengthy stay. She started Monday with a dominate 6-1, 6-3 win over Kristie Ahn. The two seeds in her near-immediate path are Dayana Yastremska and Johanna Konta, both of whom are coming off very strong 2019 campaigns. Experience—and a desire to end her career on a high—could make the difference in a sustained run for the Dane.
2
Julia Goerges