Caroline Wozniacki was seen wiping away tears of joy after she defeated Petra Kvitova in the second round of the US Open, at what is just her third tournament since she came out of retirement.

Former world No. 1 Wozniacki had been away from the sport for over three years when she announced her comeback in June. The Dane had initially retired in early 2020 and went on to have two children with her NBA star husband David Lee.

However, the 33-year-old returned in August at the Canadian Open, but it was clear that it would take a bit more time for her to re-gain the form she once had as she lost to reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in the second round. She then went out in the first round of the Cincinnati Open after being defeated by Varvara Gracheva.

Nevertheless, Wozniacki made a strong start at the US Open, defeating Tatiana Prozorova to progress through to a second-round clash with her longtime sporting rival and eleventh seed Kvitova.

Although the two have a close-knit head-to-head, it was Kvitova who led it 8-6 going into the match, and her success this season, including taking the WTA 1000 Miami Open title, led many to think that the Czech would secure a place in the third round.

However, Wozniacki came out fighting and won the match in straight sets, 7-5, 7-6 (5). After taking the victory, she wiped away happy tears as she realized her achievement.

Wozniacki is one of 10 mums at the New York major, along with the likes of Elina Svitolina and Victoria Azarenka. Speaking before the Slam, Wozniacki said she was happy to be a part of those paving the way for future mums by proving you can have a family and still continue a successful career.

"I'm just proud that we are quite a few mum's on tour that have paved the way for the future generation that it's possible to take a break, have a family, then come back," she said.