Caroline Wozniacki.Photo:Robert Prange/Getty Images
Robert Prange/Getty Images
Caroline Wozniackiis returning to tennis on winning form.
The 33-year-old won her first-round match at the National Bank Open — also known as the Canadian Open — in Montreal on Tuesday, more than three years after she stepped back from the sport.
She beat Australian qualifier Kimberly Birrell 6-2 6-2 and will take onWimbledonchampionMarkéta Vondroušováin the next round on Wednesday.
Wozniacki’s husband David Lee, who shemarriedin 2019, also showed his delight at her win, writing, “So proud of you!!!!! ❤️.”
“Over these past three years away from the game I got to make up for lost time with my family, I became a mother and now have two beautiful children I am so grateful for,” she wrote. “But I still have goals I want to accomplish. I want to show my kids that you can pursue your dreams no matter your age or role. We decided as a family it’s time. I’m coming back to play and I can’t wait!”
Caroline Wozniacki, David Lee and their children James and Olivia.Caroline Wozniacki/Instagram
Caroline Wozniacki/Instagram
Wozniacki and Lee share sonJames, 9 months, and daughterOlivia, 2.
Opening up toVogueabout motherhood, Wozniacki said, “I’ve talked with a lot of women who gave up on their own dreams because they wanted to be with their families, but somewhere deep down they have this yearning to do something they’re passionate about. I want to show those women that maybe there’s a way."
“It’s certainly not easy to find the right balance — and I’m so lucky to have a supportive husband and supportive parents, and the help of a nanny — but I think it’s possible,” she continued. “I want to prove that to myself and to those women.”
Caroline Wozniacki and her two kids.Caroline Wozniacki/Instagram
“You can have both: You can be thrilled with your family and with everything at home and still have a career — and be great at it.”
“Let’s also understand: Most men on tour don’t have to retire to have a family — they can play through,” she added.
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While announcing her return, the Grand Slam Champion said she’d also like to play at the US Open in New York later this month, as well as the Australian Open in January.
The former world No. 1 had revealed she wasretiring from the sportin a post on Instagram in December 2019.
source: people.com
