New York, August 28 – Former world number one and Grand Slam champion Caroline Wozniacki marked her triumphant return to the Grand Slam stage after a hiatus of over three years with a commanding victory at the U.S. Open. The Danish tennis star showcased her experience and skill as she secured a decisive 6-3, 6-2 win over Russian qualifier Tatiana Prozorova in the opening round on Monday.
Wozniacki’s journey back to competitive tennis has been a gradual one, participating in her third tournament since her return in Montreal and Cincinnati earlier this month. Having taken a break from the sport in 2020 to start a family, Wozniacki’s remarkable comeback has been a point of attention in the tennis world.
Speaking about her return, Wozniacki expressed her excitement, saying, “It feels amazing to be back. Obviously, I was very nervous coming out here. I haven’t been here since 2019, and a lot has happened since then. It just feels amazing to have the chance out here on this big court, playing a night session and getting a win under my belt. It feels so special.”
The match saw a brief exchange of service breaks in the early stages before Wozniacki, 33, seized control of the match from a 3-3 deadlock. Her relentless pressure, showcased through powerful returns, led to her breaking Prozorova’s serve twice more, clinching the opening set in her favor.
As the second set began with a slight delay due to Prozorova’s medical timeout, Wozniacki intensified her gameplay. A pivotal moment arrived when she secured a point following a 30-shot rally, propelling her to a 3-1 lead. Despite a minor wobble on her own serve at 5-1, Wozniacki’s determination proved unyielding, as she promptly broke Prozorova’s serve to seal the match in her favor.
Looking ahead to her next challenge, Wozniacki acknowledged the tougher path ahead, as she is set to face Czech 11th seed Petra Kvitova in the second round. Reflecting on her approach, she stated, “I’ve got to play better next match to beat her, but so does she. I think it’s going to be an exciting one. It’s going to be a good match out there.”
With eight victories in their 14 previous encounters, Wozniacki is well aware of the task at hand. Addressing the competitive draw, she shared, “Could I have had maybe a little bit of an easier draw? Probably. But at the same time, I’m also a wildcard. We could have met in the first round. At the same time, I’m just out there to compete.”
Demonstrating her characteristic competitiveness, Wozniacki expressed her determination to challenge the best in the sport, asserting, “I know if I’m playing my best tennis, I believe that I can beat anyone in the draw. It could be anything out there in the next match, but I hope it’s going to be a great match. That’s why I’m here. I want to compete. I want to play against the best players.” Her words exemplify the spirit that has characterized her successful tennis journey and her return to the Grand Slam arena.
