"Why not me?": Caroline Wozniacki left dreaming of second Australian Open title after returning to Melbourne

Caroline Wozniacki started her 2024 Australian Open campaign successfully by overcoming Magda Linette 6-2, 2-0, and a retirement from the Polish player. Linette entered as the 20th seed and retired after 55 minutes. Nevertheless, Wozniacki looked impressive from the start against a formidable opponent like Linette, who was a semifinalist in the tournament in the last edition in 2023.

The former world No. 1 highlighted that she felt in good rhythm and dreams of winning the title again in Melbourne, where she secured her only Grand Slam in 2018: “I felt I played really well,” said Wozniacki, who next faces 20-year-old qualifier Maria Timofeeva.

Wozniacki mentioned that there is still room for improvement, especially in her serve, but she is satisfied with the aggressiveness she showed and the reception from the Australian crowd: “I tried to take the ball early, tried to be aggressive. I still feel my serve could be a little better but hopefully in the next match that’s going to happen,” she said.

The Dane returned to the WTA tour in 2023 after more than three years since her retirement and having two children. Wozniacki surprised everyone by coming back in great form at the age of 33 and had a good run at the US Open, reaching the fourth round. Returning to Melbourne for the first time since 2020, she expressed gratitude to the audience: “And otherwise, I just feel so at home out here, this court brings back amazing memories and playing in front of all of you amazing people is so, so special to me.”

Even though Wozniacki is playing only her fifth tournament since her comeback and is currently ranked at world No. 252, she cannot be ruled out as a contender being a former Grand Slam champion, especially at the place where she was crowned: “The dream is to win it obviously,” she said."

“I’ve worked hard to be here, to be back at this stage - I didn’t think I’d be back here. It’s really a bonus, I’m just really grateful to be out here but I really feel like I'm playing well so why not me?”

Wozniacki was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2018, a condition that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. This time, she referred to the difficulties it brings: “It was definitely a tough diagnosis to get, I felt young, healthy, a professional athlete - that can’t happen to me,” she said.

“I had to change my lifestyle, even though it was already healthy as a professional athlete, I still had to step up and make sure everything I do every day with proper preparation and cool downs.

“You know, there are great days and some days where your body says no and you have to accept that, but I hope that coming out with my diagnosis I can help others and make them believe that whatever their dreams are, they can make them happen too,” former world No. 1 concluded.