MONTREAL: In a remarkable comeback story, Caroline Wozniacki, after a hiatus of over three years to start a family, marked her return to competitive tennis with a resounding victory.
The Danish tennis star, who had announced her decision to end her retirement in June, delivered a stellar performance that showcased her exceptional skills and deep love for the sport. Wozniacki’s match against Australian qualifier Kimberly Birrell at the Montreal court on Tuesday was a testament to her enduring prowess and determination.
The Danish wildcard, once a staple of the tennis world, demonstrated remarkable anticipation, agility, and shot selection throughout the intense 97-minute match. Her play was so impressive that it felt as though she had never taken a break from the sport. Walking onto the court to the tune of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” accompanied by a heartwarming “Welcome Back Caro” sign in French from her fans, Wozniacki felt the overwhelming warmth and support from the crowd.
“I felt the love,” Wozniacki shared with reporters. “The fans were really behind me, and I thoroughly enjoyed being out there on the court, where I’ve had incredible memories.”
Although Wozniacki encountered a minor hiccup by dropping the opening game on her serve, she quickly regained her momentum, securing a 3-1 lead and ultimately clinching the first set in just 42 minutes. Her opponent, Kimberly Birrell, faced challenges, committing three double faults while serving, allowing Wozniacki to secure a significant lead.
The second set witnessed a more determined Birrell, leading to an intense battle where both players exhibited their skills. It wasn’t until Wozniacki capitalized on Birrell’s untimely double faults that she surged ahead 4-2. From that point onwards, Wozniacki maintained her lead with unwavering determination, ultimately securing victory on her first match point with a powerful backhand shot that found an open court.
The triumph paves the way for Wozniacki’s upcoming clash with ninth-seeded Czech player Marketa Vondrousova, the reigning Wimbledon champion. Vondrousova showcased her prowess by breezing past Mayar Sherif of Egypt in a convincing 6-4 6-2 victory.
Caroline Wozniacki’s journey back to professional tennis has been marked by her desire to start a family with her husband, former NBA player David Lee. After retiring from tennis following the 2020 Australian Open, Wozniacki embraced motherhood, welcoming two children, Olivia and James, into her life. She now joins a distinguished list of Grand Slam champions who have returned to competitive tennis after becoming mothers, including icons like Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters, and Victoria Azarenka.
Wozniacki’s triumphant return has not gone unnoticed by the tennis community. The 2018 Australian Open champion has been granted wildcard entries to the Cincinnati Open and the upcoming US Open, scheduled for August 28 to September 10.
In a separate match, Italy’s Camila Giorgi displayed an impressive performance as she overpowered the 2019 Canadian Open champion, Bianca Andreescu, with a score of 6-3 6-2. Despite the home crowd’s support for Andreescu, Giorgi’s powerful backhand and precise serves proved too much for the Canadian player, who was hindered by a thigh injury. Giorgi’s victory sets up an intriguing clash with seventh seed Petra Kvitova in the following round.
As the Canadian Open unfolds, it becomes evident that the world of tennis is witnessing remarkable comebacks and displays of resilience. The tournament continues to showcase the dynamic nature of the sport, where seasoned players make triumphant returns and rising stars push their limits to achieve greatness.
