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Caroline Wozniacki highlights value of marathon training

By Allsports.com.gh
Sports News Caroline Wozniacki highlights value of marathon training
OCT 21, 2014 LISTEN

Wozniacki, who has signed up to run in the Big Apple next month, kicked off her WTA Finals campaign with a gruelling three-set victory over Sharapova, the Dane ultimately prevailing 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 after more than three hours of play.

World number two Sharapova was the more aggressive player throughout, but made an astonishing 76 unforced errors as she found herself frustrated by the defensive quality of her opponent.

After coming through the third-longest match in the tournament's history to make a winning start in the White Group, Wozniacki highlighted the value of her continued marathon training.

"I just feel like right now with all the training and running I've been doing, I can keep being out there and keep running," the 24-year-old was quoted as saying by the WTA Finals website.

"I kept thinking to myself out there in the third set: 'If you're going to get tired now, how are you going to get through this marathon? You better keep going.'

"I did, and I felt pretty good out there. I felt I could still keep going for a while."

Wozniacki is aware it may not be practical for her to run future marathons during her tennis career.

"I probably wouldn't recommend it to other players," she added. "It's helped, but I don't think it's something that I want to do every year. Running a marathon and doing this much running, it's not easy. I think to do it once while you're playing is enough.

"At the same time, it gets me in great shape. To do it year in and year out, I don't think it's possible. Our bodies get a beating already. I don't think it's necessary to do this again while I'm on tour."

A magnanimous Sharapova acknowledged the quality of Wozniacki's defensive work.

"It's not a secret - she's always been one of the most physically challenging players to play against," said the Russian.

"She gets many balls back and makes you hit an extra ball. I think she's doing that better.

"She's improved her strength in doing that. There is a little more when she's on the defence. Not just the ball up in the air, but she has something on it. She gets herself back in position."

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