'Once A Competitor, Always A Competitor': Wozniacki After US Open First Round Triumph

Tuesday, 29 August 2023 at 16:07

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byJake Davies

Caroline Wozniacki worked her way through a good first round opening win at the US Open, claiming the victory in straight sets.

Wozniacki made quite light work of her inexperienced opponent, beating World No.227 Tatiana Prozorova in a more competitive first set, before outstaying her completely in the second set. Wozniacki will recognise there are definitely sterner challenges ahead, but this is a great platform to build from.

Wozniacki hadn't featured in a Grand Slam singles match for over three years after initially retiring at the 2020 Australian Open, bowing out that day to Ons Jabeur in the opening round. However, since making the decision to return to competitive action, Wozniacki definitely feels like there is unfinished business in this next phase of her tennis career.

Perhaps that there is big room for opportunity to continue to win the biggest trophies and she wants to test herself against this next crop of dynamic talent at the top of the game.

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Wozniacki opened up about whether there is a change to how she approaches matches now that she is a mother of two children:

"The same. I think, once a competitor, always a competitor. I know what I needed to do out there. When I'm with the kids, I'm with the kids 100%. When I'm zoned in on the match, I'm there 100%"

The Great Dane now moves ahead to a mouthwatering second round encounter against two-time Grand Slam champion Petra Kvitova. This is one of those bigger tests, and Wozniacki discussed in depth the history of that specific matchup:

"Obviously it only gets tougher from here. I'm playing Petra next, someone I know very well and have played many, many times. I have got to play better next match to beat her, but so does she. But yeah, I know exactly what I need to do. I know where my game needs to be at to beat Petra. There is definitely a calmness in knowing that."

It has been five years since the returning Wozniacki has beaten a Top-20 player, although interestingly Kvitova was the last Top-20 opponent she managed to defeat.