"I realised I still have something to give to the sport": Fire still burns for Caroline Wozniacki as Australian Open wildcard set

Former champion Caroline Wozniacki will be making her return to the Australian Open, as the Danish star has been granted a wildcard entry to compete at next year's event in January.

Wozniacki lifted her sole Grand Slam title at the 2018 edition of the event in Melbourne, and retired from the game two years later. However, the former World No.1 announced her comeback in June 2023, and will be returning to the site of the largest win of her career when the Grand Slam kicks off on January 14, 2024.

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The passion never left the 33-year old, prompting her return

After announcing her retirement at the 2020 Australian Open, Wozniacki took some time to explain her thoughts and feelings behind returning to Melbourne, adding the experience would be more emotional considering she now has a family.

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"It's really incredible that I get another chance to compete in Australia," said Wozniacki. "I really thought when I retired in 2020 that that was going to be my last tournament, my last match. And there was a reason why I decided to do it in Australia: it's so special to me. I feel like I have so much support there. I obviously won my first Grand Slam there, and it's just the 'Happy Slam' so that was why I made that decision. But, you know, lo and behold three years later, I realized I still have something to give to the sport, and my passion is still there and I feel like I'm still young enough to give it one last try.

"I'm really really excited to be back in Australia. I mean, to bring my family there, my two kiddos, and for them to experience this incredible country. I'm just so, so thrilled. And obviously for me to play at one of the biggest events in the world in front of all those amazing fans, it's going to be incredible, and definitely going to be emotional coming back. And I'm really looking forward to it."

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