Former World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki Announces Return To Tennis

Caroline Wozniacki is returning to tennis.

The 32-year-old mother of two and former world No. 1 announced on social media that she is returning to the WTA Tour after retiring in January 2020. The Dane has earned more than $35 million in prize money and won her only Grand Slam at the 2018 Australian Open.on

She will play the U.S. Open warm-up in Montreal in August and on Thursday was granted a wildcard to the U.S. Open, where she reached the final in 2009 and 2014 and made three additional semifinal appearances, in 2010-11 and 2016. Wozniacki will also play the Australian Open in 2024 and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“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 announced. “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!”

Wozniacki, who is married to former NBA player David Lee, has been a broadcaster for Tennis Channel.

“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,” she wrote in a Vogue Magazine column. “I want to show those women that maybe there’s a way.”

She added: “How long will I be able to play at my highest level—a year, two years, three years? I don’t know. But I know that five years from now, when the kids are in school, it will be too late. I’m not going to make any bold predictions—but if I didn’t believe in myself, I wouldn’t be doing this: I’m too competitive to just show up and not feel like I’m going to be one of the best players out there.”