Canada's Aleksandra Wozniak returns to Daniela Hantuchova from Slovakia during first round of play at the Rogers Cup tennis tournament Tuesday, August 7, 2012 in Montreal. Wozniak won 7-5, 7-6 (5).Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press
Aleksandra Wozniak has won the Tennis Canada female player of the year award for the fifth time.
She was given the honour Thursday after returning to the top 50 in the world rankings this year following a couple of injury-plagued seasons. Wozniak, from Blainville, Que., reached three WTA quarter-finals in 2012 and also captured the Nassau Challenger event last March.
"It's such a nice feeling to be recognized by Tennis Canada with this award," Wozniak said in a release. "I had a great season this year with many highlights — including my first-ever Olympic Games — and of course being able to reach the quarters at Rogers Cup in front of such supportive hometown fans.
"I'm happy to be back in the Top 50, but I'm already looking forward to having a great year in 2013 and I hope I can grow further."
Wozniak, who also received the female singles player of the year honour, reached the second round at the London Games before falling to American star Venus Williams. Wozniak is currently ranked No. 43 in the world, a jump of 62 positions from the end of 2011.
Marie-Eve Pelletier of Repentigny, Que., was named female doubles player of the year and Eugenie Bouchard of Westmount, Que., was named female junior player of the year and most improved female player.
Milos Raonic was named male player of the year Wednesday. The Tennis Canada Excellence Awards were selected by a committee of high-ranking Tennis Canada personnel and the country's top national coaches.