Caroline Wozniacki: A Returning Mother on the Courts of the Australian Open

She is one of the returning mothers. Caroline Wozniacki reestablished herself on the circuit last year, during her participation in the Montreal and Cincinnati tournaments, then the notable one at the US Open, and she now aims to find a place more in line with her rank. . Much better than the 252nd place she officially occupies in the WTA rankings.

We must not forget that she said goodbye to competition in 2020, and that she is coming out of a three and a half year maternity break. At 33, the former world No. 1 has become the mother of a girl and a boy, named Olivia and James, and she plans to relive the thrills of the big stages, with the inner certainty of still having her say to say in the face of a new generation that she saw emerge during her absence.

Eliminated without having to blush in the first round of the Auckland tournament, at the start of the year, by the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, the 23rd in the world, Caroline Wozniacki returns to the Australian Open, the scene of her only Grand Slam consecration, in 2018. Amid renewed competition.

“I saw all the players overall”

“It’s great to have this generation here,” she said during a press briefing on Friday. “There are a lot of young players. Some were probably born the year I turned pro (2005) . Or not too far from that.” “Inside, I feel young, but I realize that I am no longer 20 years old. When it comes to tennis, I am from the older generation,” added the native of Odense, who trained on Friday with Angelique Kerber, another young mother in the “comeback” category; following a break of a year and a half.

During all this time observing and occasionally commenting on women’s tennis, Caroline Wozniacki has seen the top 10 completely change, which obviously adds to the complexity of her challenge. “I saw generally all the players, players that I had never met before. I followed that well,” she assures. “It’s hard to compare the old top 10 to the new one,” she said. “By that I mean you can’t compare anyone with Serena, in my opinion.” We understand it well: with Serena Williams, we were not in the same dimension; without insulting the new headliners who will gain weight over the years.

Linette before Cornet?

Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff therefore make up this top 4 new look she is talking about. The Dane saw it blossom on a changing circuit, for different reasons. However, she can boast of having partly responded to these new queens: at the US Open, she pushed the future winner Coco Gauff to a third set, in the round of 16. Enough to approach her first round without apprehension against Magda Linette, semi-finalist of the 2023 edition. Before a possible 2nd round against the Frenchwoman Alizé Cornet.

“Every time I’m on court, I think I can win, regardless of the opponent on the other side of the net,” she asserts. “My body feels good, I really think I’m playing Alright.”

For her 14th campaign at the Australian Open, she is aware of the task that awaits her throughout the rounds, if she is fortunate enough to be able to advance in the tournament as she hopes. “I think there are a lot more very high-level players,” she notes. “It’s a process that has been going on for a while now.” It should be fixed quickly.

2024-01-12 13:09:00
#Australian #Open #Ladies #Caroline #Wozniacki #ready #rekindle #flame #playing