Caroline Wozniacki will return to the Australian Open in about a month, four years after she officially retired from the sport at that event.
It was January 2020 when Caroline Wozniacki played what many thought would be the final event of her career. She finished her career at the Australian Open, the only Grand Slam she ever won, and it seemed fitting.
Yet, four years later, the Danish player will return to the event after a surprising return to the sport earlier this year. Wozniacki explained what it means to be back at the event in a talk for the Australian Open show run by the event.
It's really incredible that I get another chance to compete in Australia. I really thought when I retired in 2020 that that was going to be my last tournament, my last match. And there was a reason why I decided to do it in Australia: it's so special to me.
Wozniacki always felt at home in Australia, enjoying a lot of support from the crowd. It's not by chance that she won the only Grand Slam she's ever won there. It's simply a place where she feels really good both on and off the court.
I feel like I have so much support there. I obviously won my first Grand Slam there, and it's just the 'Happy Slam' so that was why I made that decision. But, you know, lo and behold three years later, I realised I still have something to give to the sport, and my passion is still there and I feel like I'm still young enough to give it one last try.
Besides the obvious of playing at the event, Wozniacki is excited to share the experience with her family as well. She's a mother of two and loves sharing this comeback experience with her family. Bringing them to Australia will be even more special and emotional.
I'm really really excited to be back in Australia. I mean, to bring my family there, my two kiddos, and for them to experience this incredible country. I'm just so, so thrilled. And obviously for me to play at one of the biggest events in the world in front of all those amazing fans, it's going to be incredible, and definitely going to be emotional coming back. And I'm really looking forward to it.