NEW YORK (Associated Press) — Caroline Wozniacki sat in her U.S. Open sideline chair, leaned forward, and covered her face with both hands as she completed the biggest victory of her still-recent comeback after 3 1/2 years away from tennis.
After that, she relaxed, turned to smile at her husband and her dad who were watching from the stands, and leaned back.
Olivia, for her 2-year-old daughter, and James, for her 10-month-old son, were both represented by a gold necklace around her neck with their respective names written in cursive.
Defeating two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova 7-5, 7-6 (5) in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday night proved that Wozniacki had made the right decision to come out of retirement and give tennis another shot.
Everything about this is perfect. In a word, it's amazing. Wozniacki remarked, "Three years ago, I would have claimed I will never be back here, playing on this court."
The 33-year-old Dane, who is now ranked at No. 623, made history in her first year on tour by winning the 2018 Australian Open.
Wozniacki retired from tennis in 2020; she has since started a family with ex-NBA player David Lee,
with whom she has had two children; and she has worked as a television analyst.