Caroline Wozniacki didn’t even know the place her rackets have been.
That’s how removed from thoughts a return to tennis was for the previous No. 1-ranked participant and main champion, who’s now a 33-year-old mom of two — and, till fairly lately, was a retired 33-year-old mom of two.
“I didn’t miss it,” mentioned Wozniacki, who returned to the tour earlier this month and can play her first Grand Slam match since 2020 on Monday when the U.S. Open will get began. “I performed since I used to be, clearly, very, very younger. It’s been a part of my life and my way of life for thus lengthy. I wanted a break.”
Nonetheless, she defined, she does contemplate her sport an exercise she’ll be capable to do ceaselessly — “Regardless of if I’m 33 or if I’m going to be 80” — and one which’s good train, so she sometimes started to play for enjoyable with some pals to get a little bit of a cardio exercise.
“It simply occurred to be that I felt like I used to be hitting the ball extraordinarily effectively, that I nonetheless am younger sufficient to offer it one other shot,” Wozniacki mentioned with a smile. “You solely reside as soon as. So why not?”
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Wozniacki, who’s 1-2 on this second profession, received 30 titles and $35 million in prize cash throughout her first go-round.
Her best triumph arrived on the Australian Open in 2018, when she claimed the title by defeating Simona Halep within the closing after going through match level within the second spherical of the event. That Grand Slam trophy allowed Wozniacki to return to No. 1 within the rankings after an absence of six years.
Flushing Meadows additionally was the positioning of a few of the most important on-court moments for the Danish participant, greatest recognized for her defence and tactical capacity.
In 2009, she reached her first main closing on the U.S. Open whereas nonetheless a youngster however misplaced to Kim Clijsters.
Then, in 2014, she once more participated within the closing however misplaced to her good good friend Serena Williams.
There additionally have been three different runs to the semifinals in New York earlier than she determined to stroll away from the sport after one final journey to the Australian Open early in 2020. She needed to begin a household. She additionally had introduced in 2018 that she has rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune situation that may trigger ache and swelling within the wrist and different joints.
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“Such a terrific participant in our sport, for thus lengthy. She’s had quite a lot of success right here, as effectively, on the U.S. Open,” mentioned Jessica Pegula, an American who’s seeded No. 3 on this 12 months’s bracket. “It’s fascinating to see her again. … It’s good having her again and feeling her presence just a little bit. She’s all the time tremendous good, actually comfortable.”
This journey to the massive metropolis is, after all, a bit totally different for Wozniacki.
For one factor, she is accompanied by her husband, former NBA participant David Lee, and their two-year-old daughter, Olivia, and 10-month-old son, James.
That presents some logistical challenges, as any working mother is aware of. It additionally supplies some smiles.
One instance Wozniacki shared: She recounted that earlier than she headed to the event website on Friday, Olivia mentioned, “Mommy. Mommy. Can I am going with you to work? I need to be such as you. I need to play tennis.”
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“Once I’m on court docket, I do know that I’m one hundred pc on court docket, giving it my all once I’m there,” Wozniacki mentioned. “Once I’m with the youngsters, that’s what issues most to me at that time.”
She acknowledged that one other problem is the additional effort it takes to get better from a observe session or a match now that she’s older.
However she additionally mentioned her “physique is cooperating” to date.
“I don’t understand how lengthy I’m going to play for,” Wozniacki mentioned, whereas noting that she does intend to map out “extra of a full schedule” in 2024. “I don’t know if it’s going to be a 12 months, two years, three years. I can’t predict the long run.”
Couldn’t envision this comeback, in spite of everything.