Wozniacki: 'I proved I can be a great player'

She was picked because she strives for excellence and improvement, and is perceived to be resilient.

But, perhaps Mundipharma's pick of former women's world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki as its new ambassador for Betadine in selected emerging markets is apt in another way as well.

After all, the 25-year-old Dane, who was unveiled at the Asia Square yesterday morning, could use the backing of a major pharmaceutical company after her injury-plagued season.

MODEL DANE: Caroline Wozniacki and Mundipharma's Raman Singh, who is holding a Guinness World Records certificate after its mosaic of 16,000 tennis balls beat the previous record of 10,080. -- TNP PHOTO: JEREMY LONG

Wozniacki has dropped to 17th in the world rankings after winning only the Malaysian Open earlier this year.

She also missed out on the ongoing BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global after finishing 15th on the Road to Singapore list.

Only the top eight made it to the marquee tournament at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

But she viewed her own season a little differently than the rest.

INJURIES

"I think I played some of my best tennis this year that I've ever played, but I haven't had luck with injuries," said the 1.79m-tall player.

"I was playing really well during the clay season and that's something that I've been working hard on. I proved to myself that I can be a great player."

Wozniacki said that she has been spending time with her friends and preparing for the WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai next week instead of watching the Finals here.

"It is my last tournament this year and I am excited to finish off the year and go on vacation," she said.

"I am just going there and working on some things that I want to do for 2016."

The next 12 months will be a big season for the player, who is branded in some quarters as an underachieving former world No. 1, due to the absence of a Grand Slam title to her name.

She has set her sights on the four Slams next year, as well as the Rio Olympics in August.

"I'll try to get into even better shape and keep my body healthy next year," Wozniacki said.

"It's about working hard and keeping the body strong and suited for the strain that I'll have to take on next year."

"That's really the most important thing," added the tennis star, who unveiled Mundipharma's new Guinness World Records title at yesterday's event.

Some 16,000 tennis balls of different colours were put together to 
create a mosaic of children at play, surpassing the previous mark of 10,080, set in New York in August this year.

Each tennis ball at yesterday's event represents the life of a child under the age of five who can be saved each day, which is the goal of the United Nations Children's Fund.

Mundipharma's president for Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa, Raman Singh, hailed Wozniacki's appointment yesterday.

He said: "Caroline perfectly embodies the Betadine vision of protecting people in the global fight against infection, while promoting healing and wound care."

Hopefully, for the Dane, the 12-month endorsement will help heal her playing career as well.