2023-08-08 22:48:09
Former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki won 6-2, 6-2 on Tuesday against Australian Kimberly Birell in the first round of the WTA tournament in Montreal, her first match in three years and a sporting break during of which the Dane became a mother twice.
Wozniacki, who benefits from a protected classification, had no problem dismissing the 115th player in the world after only 43 minutes of play.
“It feels good,” said the 33-year-old player. “It’s my first game in three years, I was definitely a bit rusty.”
Caroline Wozniacki, who said she “loves playing in Montreal”, announced that she would end her career in January 2020 due to a chronic inflammatory joint disease, rheumatoid arthritis, before giving birth to two children.
Her victory on Tuesday is her first ever as a mother.
“I want to show my children that you can pursue your dreams, no matter your age or role”
“It’s a bit crazy, I was looking at the time and my children are having a nap. I will meet them after eating and doing some treatments,” said the athlete, looking forward to playing early in the day so that I can “spend the afternoon with them”.
After announcing her return to competition in June, she explained that she wanted to play the US Open (August 28-September 10) for which she will receive an invitation.
“I want to show my kids that you can chase your dreams, no matter your age or role,” she wrote on Twitter, renamed X, in June.
Caroline Wozniacki thus joins other female athletes who have returned to high-level competition after giving birth to a child, including Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters and Victoria Azarenka.
During her absence from the game, Wozniacki gave birth to daughter Olivia, born in June 2021, and son James, born last October. It was only after the birth of the latter that she returned to tennis.
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