MONTREAL, QUEBEC - AUGUST 04: Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark during practice ahead of the National ... [+]
Former world no. 1 Caroline Wozniacki said she is not worried about her comeback and knows about the challenge that awaits her as the Dane prepares to return to tennis after more than three years at the Canadian Open this week.
In June, Wozniacki announced her decision to return to court, having retired after the Australian Open in 2020 to start a family with her husband, former NBA player David Lee. She has since had a daughter Olivia and a son James.
The 33-year-old’s ultimate goal is to play at the Paris Olympics next year and she plans to do so by returning to the Tour this year. First up for her is the WTA 1000 tournament in Montreal, where she will face Australia's Kimberly Birrell in the first round on Tuesday.
She also hopes to be at her peak at the U.S. Open, the final Grand Slam of the year which begins on August 28. The United States Tennis Association has awarded her a wildcard for the major, where she is a two-time finalist.
“Tennis-wise, I feel like I'm doing great in practice and it's going to be just fine when I'm out there," Wozniacki told reporters on Media Day. "So I'm not stressing. I'm not worried. It's just about getting more and more matches in and the more I play the better I'm going to play. I hope that I'm going to be at my peak for the U.S. Open.
"Realistically when you haven't been on Tour and haven't played a match in so long, no matter how much you practice, how many practice sets you've done, you can never replicate being on a match court."
‘More To Give’
MONTREAL, QUEBEC - AUGUST 06: Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark talks to the media ahead of the National ... [+]
Wozniacki spent 71 weeks at the top of the world rankings and won 30 singles titles, including a major title at the Australian Open in 2018.
Wozniacki, whose comeback has been inspired by 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, said she has accomplished most of her goals but still has more to give to tennis.
"I'm here. I've got nothing to lose,” the Danish player added. “I have already done so much in my career and basically ticked off most of the goals that I had set. But I'm here because I love to compete. I love the sport, and I feel like I still have a lot to give to the sport. And doing it with the family just makes it so much more enjoyable.
“At this point in my career and a lot of the players' careers that have been on Tour for a long time, you know how to play your game. You know what you need to improve on or what you're doing great.
“But at the end of the day, a lot of it is mental and in important moments you need to be able to step up and play your best and not fear failure. You've got to want to take your opportunity to take your chances.”
