(CNN) -- She had nightmares about taking part in the New York City Marathon -- in one she even dreamed she was dead prior to getting to the start line -- but it turns out Caroline Wozniacki need not have worried.
For one the tennis ace from Denmark completed the grueling 26.2-mile journey Sunday, which was impressive enough given only about a week ago did Wozniacki's lengthy season come to an end in Asia.Secondly the former world No. 1 posted a time of just over three hours and 26 minutes.
Wozniacki tweeted the secret to her finishing was "carb loading," posting a picture of herself munching mountains of popcorn, while watching the New York Rangers play ice hockey against the Winnipeg Jets with friend Serena Williams on Saturday.
Waiting for her at the finish line was Williams, who just happened to beat Wozniacki in the U.S. Open final in New York two months ago.
"I never tried anything this hard," Wozniacki was quoted as saying by the New York Daily News. "This is the toughest physical challenge ever.
var currExpandable="expand17";if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);}var mObj={};mObj.type='video';mObj.contentId='';mObj.network='cnnintl';mObj.source='sports/2014/10/16/spc-open-court-c-caroline-wozniacki.cnn';mObj.videoSource='CNN';mObj.videoSourceUrl='';mObj.lgImage="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/141016124313-spc-open-court-c-caroline-wozniacki-00011227-story-body.jpg";mObj.lgImageX=300;mObj.lgImageY=169;mObj.origImageX="214";mObj.origImageY="120";mObj.contentType='video';CNN.expElements.expand17Store=mObj;var currExpandable="expand27";if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);}var mObj={};mObj.type='video';mObj.contentId='';mObj.network='cnnintl';mObj.source='sports/2014/09/08/nichols-intv-serena-williams.cnn';mObj.videoSource='CNN';mObj.videoSourceUrl='http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/us/unguarded/index.html';mObj.lgImage="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/140908020541-nichols-intv-serena-williams-00004008-story-body.jpg";mObj.lgImageX=300;mObj.lgImageY=169;mObj.origImageX="214";mObj.origImageY="120";mObj.contentType='video';CNN.expElements.expand27Store=mObj;"You have to keep going, keep going. I just kept grinding out there."
It was always on Wozniacki's "bucket list" to run the marathon and she raised funds for the charity Team for Kids.
Despite Wozniacki's athletic background, the race didn't go down without a hitch. She hit a wall, said the Daily News, at the 20-mile mark.
But the 24-year-old -- formerly engaged to golf No. 1 Rory McIlroy -- ended strongly and was congratulated by Williams.
Her feat also drew praise from fellow players and retired greats such as Billie Jean King.
Wozniacki said completing the marathon would help her tennis game.
"I know I can be out there for hours and be fine," she was quoted as saying by the Daily News. "I can keep battling it out there and I think that's a great mental advantage to have when you go out to play."
Presumably, though, she'll take a break first.
Read: Nightmares won't stop Woz
Today's five most popular stories
December 16, 2014 -- Updated 1208 GMT (2008 HKT) 
Rafael Nadal's body might be giving him a few problems, but his mind remains as strong as ever. Will the Spaniard add to his haul of 14 grand slam titles? November 24, 2014 -- Updated 1342 GMT (2142 HKT)
A year that began in uncertainty for Roger Federer ended with a historic title for the 17-time grand slam champion and his country. November 27, 2014 -- Updated 1716 GMT (0116 HKT) 
The Scot has served up a few changes to his support team in 2014 but there's one person who isn't going anywhere -- his new fiancée Kim Sears.September 11, 2014 -- Updated 1248 GMT (2048 HKT) 
His distinctive crocodile logo is seen on clothing all over the world, but Rene Lacoste also left a lasting legacy in the development of tennis.September 9, 2014 -- Updated 0636 GMT (1436 HKT) 
Marin Cilic follows in the footsteps of his coach Goran Ivanicevic by claiming a grand slam crown for Croatia, winning the U.S. Open. September 14, 2014 -- Updated 1334 GMT (2134 HKT) 
Serena Williams is without peer in the modern women's game and now she is on a par with two American tennis legends from the past.September 2, 2014 -- Updated 1321 GMT (2121 HKT) 
Over the course of her remarkable life, Althea Gibson was many things to many people -- but it was tennis where she really left her mark.August 27, 2014 -- Updated 1145 GMT (1945 HKT) 
Canada and tennis? Really? Yup. The North American tennis power balance is swinging away from the States.August 21, 2014 -- Updated 1252 GMT (2052 HKT) 
As a player he was as fiery as his hair -- and as Novak Djokovic's coach, Boris Becker says he has to battle to keep his emotions in check.August 20, 2014 -- Updated 1102 GMT (1902 HKT) 
Tennis great Boris Becker says he was stunned by the level of criticism he received after being appointed as Novak Djokovic's coach.July 25, 2014 -- Updated 1101 GMT (1901 HKT) 
"I didn't cry once when I practiced in front of the mirror," says Martin Emmrich. But the nerves kicked in when he got down on one knee on court. June 30, 2014 -- Updated 1135 GMT (1935 HKT) 
When Agnieszka Radwanska refused to look her opponent in the eye after losing at Wimbledon, it raised more than eyebrows. June 23, 2014 -- Updated 0114 GMT (0914 HKT) 
It's 10 years since a teenage Maria Sharapova became the darling of Wimbledon's hallowed Center Court, launching herself as a star.May 23, 2014 -- Updated 0746 GMT (1546 HKT) 
He's regularly voted France's favorite famous person, but many of the nation's youth have "no idea" about his glorious sporting pastApril 29, 2014 -- Updated 1555 GMT (2355 HKT) 
Five-time grand slam champion Martina Hingis has followed her mom into a coaching role, setting up a new tennis academy in Barcelona, Spain. 
0 comments:
Post a Comment