After a hiatus of three years, Caroline Wozniacki, a former world number one, staged a notable comeback to tennis. Having withdrawn from the sport in 2020 after nearly two decades of play, Wozniacki chose to end her retirement, driven by the rediscovery of her deep passion for the game.
Over the years, several athletes have made comebacks after retiring. Wozniacki is just the latest player to jot her name down on that list. The Dane, however, credits Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters for her return.
“I talked to Kim and Serena. Serena’s just on a different level, tennis-wise. When she played her best it was basically impossible to beat her. So she probably had a different perspective coming back than me,” said Wozniacki.
Caroline Wozniacki talked to Serena Williams & Clijsters before comeback
“I talked to Kim & Serena. Serena’s just on a different level, tennis-wise. When she played her best it was basically impossible to beat her. So she probably had a different perspective coming back than me” pic.twitter.com/1AS7V31qNv
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 7, 2023
Williams had taken a step back from tennis when she got pregnant with Olympia in 2017. The 23-time Grand Slam champion returned the following year and she was back to playing at the level she used to. She has reached the finals of four major tournaments since her return.
Wozniacki revealed that talking to Williams and Clijsters helped her with her decision to come back to the tour. Clijsters had retired from tennis in 2007 before she returned in 2009. The Belgian player went on to win the US Open that year.
It is not surprising that Caroline has been inspired by Williams and Clijsters. Wozniacki played her first match at the Canadian Open in Montreal and won it comprehensively. The Dane did not look like she had been away for over three years.
Why did Caroline Wozniacki retire?
Back in 2020, former world number one Caroline Wozniacki decided to retire from tennis to start a family with her husband. Since then, she has given birth to a son and a daughter, with her husband David Lee, a former NBA player.
Wozniacki won the Australian Open trophy in 2018. However, the high from winning her first Grand Slam did not last very long. That same year Caroline was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.
It is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints of the body. Since her diagnosis, Wozniacki’s playing level has suffered. She pushed through it, however, wanting to be a role model for those with the condition.
Expanding her family, and her constant battle with rheumatoid arthritis were the major reasons for her retirement. But she penned a letter for Vogue to announce her return in June.
As Caroline looks to find her rhythm on the court, we must cherish her fighting spirit. Wozniacki is a champion and has her eyes set on the US Open. The Paris Olympics is not out of the equation either.
