Fatherly love rather than parental pressure has driven Caroline Wozniacki to grand slam glory and back to world No.1.
Almost six years to the day since being dethroned after a 67-week stint at the summit, Wozniacki will return to the top of the rankings on Monday following her long-awaited Australian Open breakthrough at Melbourne Park.
Like no other sport, tennis is littered with tales of pushy parents destroying children's promising careers.
Think Jelena Dokic and her bullying father Damir. Think Mirjiana Luci-Baroni and the trials and tribulations of Mary Pierce and Bernard Tomic.
Not Wozniacki, though.
The Dane credits her father Piotr, who has coached his daughter since she was seven, for allowing her to flourish without fear of failure.
"He only wants the best for me. Win or lose, I'm always his daughter no matter if I'm No.1 in the world or outside the top 100," Wozniacki said as she cuddled the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.
"It's not going to change his view of me and I think as long as I give it my all and give it my best, my family and my friends are always going to be proud of me."
Wozniacki paid an emotional tribute to her father in her victory speech on Rod Laver Arena.
"You've coached me from the start. We've been through ups and downs but you stood by my side every step of the way. So thank you," the 26-year-old said.
Wozniacki's triumph comes barely 18 months after she pondered giving tennis away after plummeting to 74th in the world amid a depressing run with injuries.
"It's very special for me. Not only am I a grand slam champion. It still seems crazy to say that, but I'm also back to world No.1," she said.
"I couldn't have scripted it any better and I'm very proud of the way I fought to get here.
"Life sometimes throws curve balls at you and you just have to deal with it."
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