Caroline Wozniacki has made a winning start in her Australian Open return, saying she has “nothing to lose” as her comeback to the WTA Tour continues.
Key points:
- Wozniacki triumphed 6-2, 2-0 over Magda Linette
- She is contesting the Australian Open for the first time in four years
- The former world number one returned to the WTA Tour in 2023
The 2018 Australian Open champion advanced from the first round after her Polish opponent, 20th seed Magda Linette, was forced to retire in the second set.
Wozniacki was leading 6-2, 2-0 when Linette, who reached the semifinals at Melbourne Park last year, called it quits due to injury.
Former world number one Wozniacki retired after the 2020 Australian Open and has since started a family with her husband, former NBA player David Lee.
She gave birth to her daughter Olivia in 2021 and son James in 2022.
Last year, Wozniacki announced she was returning to the WTA Tour, opting to play three tournaments.
She contested the US Open, where she lost to eventual champion Coco Gauff in the fourth round.
The 33-year-old admits she was finding her feet early in her comeback but now feels more comfortable, especially playing at a tournament she holds close to her heart.
“I feel like I came into this tournament, this year, knowing exactly where I was, where I need to be and what I need to work on,” Wozniacki said.
“It’s a little bit different. At the same time I think I have nothing to lose and everything to win.”
Ranked 252 on the WTA rankings, Wozniacki needed a wildcard to enter the Australian Open main draw.
While still regaining the conditioning that helped her reach number one in the world, Wozniacki believes she has become smarter in how she prepares herself in this second phase of her career.
“I’m no spring chicken anymore, so with my body I just need to be careful with it, treat it accordingly,” she said.
“I think that’s what I’ve learned in the off-season, to be really diligent with everything that I do. I think that’s the main thing.
“I’ve played for so many years, been able to push my body to the brink almost every day for that whole time.
“Now, I’ve really got to be more careful with what I do and how I do things.”
Wozniacki will play qualifier Maria Timofeeva in the second round.
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