"I had no idea what I was going to come up with": Pleasant surprise for Wozniacki in superb return, despite admitting she was 'rusty'

Former world number one Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki has expressed delight after winning her first match at the highest level in a long time.

The 33-year-old won her first game after coming out of retirement at the Canadian Open (National Bank) in Montreal where she defeated Australia’s Kimberly Birrell in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-2.

While talking after the match, Wozniacki revealed that she was short of ideas during the match but stated that she was extremely thrilled to be back on the court.

"I'm happy," Wozniacki said. "A little tired. Just it was fun to be out there again playing on center court in front of a big crowd. I'm just thrilled that I could win my first match in three and a half years. Marketa has obviously been on fire. Played incredibly well at Wimbledon. Got out of some tough situations there along the way, but then really kept her nerves cool in the finals.

"Obviously a tough opponent, a lefty. That's never easy to play a lefty with the ball going the other way. But, you know what, I have nothing to lose. I'm going to go out there and have fun regardless and see what happens. I'm just excited to be back and competing, and I think for me it's so special having my family here.

"As a 33-year-old that has played on tour for many years, and doing it with my kids that now, especially the older one is starting to really understand and gets to really experience the world and different countries, I think it's so cool.

"I didn't really know what to expect [from this match], to be honest. You have all these things in your head that this is how you're supposed to be playing and you're supposed to be doing this and that, but to be honest, I had no idea what I was going to come up with when I was out on court because I just haven't played a real match in so long.

"It was all about not getting down on myself if I made a mistake and not get too excited when I hit a good shot. So it was just kind of evening out those emotions. I think everything taken into consideration, I'm very happy with how I played today and how I got through."