Former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki accused former Danish tennis player turned commentator Peter Bastiansen, of bullying her for “20 years” after he said the “ship had sailed” on her career and questioned why tournament organisers would give her a wildcard.
Wozniacki announced her retirement from the sport after the 2020 Australian Open, but three years later she returned to the court following the birth of her daughter Olivia, four, and son James, three.
Wozniacki, now 35, played well in her return, making the round of 16 at the US Open in 2023 and 2024, while reaching the quarter-finals at Indian Wells.
READ MORE: Eels reveal ‘perfect storm’ behind Pezet deal
READ MORE: Red Bull’s itchy trigger finger as ghost of Ricciardo lurks
READ MORE: Warner backflips on Konstas debate as old teammate firms
However, she has stayed away from competitive tennis since the New York grand slam last year, and welcomed her third child with husband and former NBA player David Lee.
While she has not issued a public statement about a decision to retire or play on, Bastiansen said it would be a “parody” if she was handed a wildcard for the Australian Open draw.
Caroline Wozniacki hugs husband David Lee after playing her last career match in the third round of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)Â Getty
“I can’t understand why she doesn’t announce it,’ Bastiansen told Danish tabloid B.T. “I mean, what’s the point of not doing so?
“She’s never, ever coming back to top-level tennis. That ship has sailed. Why doesn’t she just say it?
Wozniacki and family before she welcomed her third child Instagram/Caroline Wozniacki
“There’s nothing wrong or unnatural about that. All great sports stars make such announcements, so I just don’t get it.”
Bastiansen, who was a regular fixture in Denmark’s Davis Cup teams in the 1980s and held a career high singles ranking of 224, said he would “fall off my chair” if she played at Melbourne Park in 2026.
“It would be a parody if she did,” he added. “It would be deeply unserious. I can’t see why the organisers would even bother to give her a wildcard.”
Wozniacki, who won the Australian Open in 2018, hit back at Bastiansen on social media, calling into question his playing career and his knowledge of the rules.
Peter Bastiansen. TV2
“It’s now been more than 20 years that Peter Bastiansen has bullied me and attacked me personally in the media, talking about things he doesn’t understand,” Wozniacki said.
“Peter, you’re a clown, and as a so-called “tennis expert” you should know the rules. It can be hard to keep track of them when you’ve never played at a high level yourself.
“But I have a frozen ranking of world No. 71, which means I don’t need wildcards to enter the big tournaments.
“After many years of hard training and top-level tennis, I have the right to do what’s best for my family. ‘I don’t understand why TV 2, B.T., and other media outlets keep using his quotes when there are many far better experts in Denmark.”
Bastiansen played in one grand slam event during his career, competing in the doubles at the 1987 French Open.
His highest ranking in doubles was 158.