Former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki announces return to tennis three years after retirement

Caroline Wozniacki (Source: Twitter)

Former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki is set to make a comeback to tennis three years after retiring from the sport. Wozniacki, who announced her retirement in 2020 to start a family, said on Thursday (June 29) she was ready to return to the WTA Tour as she 'still have goals to accomplish'. The Danish star will now begin a new chapter in her career at the final Grand Slam of the year - the US Open.

Wozniacki made history by becoming the first Scandinavian women’s player to become the World No.1 in the WTA rankings. She held the top spot for 71 weeks between the years 2010 and 2011, during a very competitive era with Serena and Venus Williams. The 32-yar-old has won 30 singles titles - including a Grand Slam title at the 2018 Australian Open.

However, at the age of 29, she announced her retirement prior to the 2020 Australian Open in order to prioritise her personal life. She wanted to start a family with her husband, former NBA player David Lee, and the couple since had a daughter Olivia and a son James.

"Over these past three years away from the game I got to make up for lost time with my family, I became a mother and now have two beautiful children I am so grateful for," Wozniacki wrote on Twitter.

"But I still have goals I want to accomplish. I want to show my kids that you can pursue your dreams no matter your age or role. We decided as a family it's time. I'm coming back to play and I can't wait!," she added.

Paris Olympics are definitely a goal: Wozniacki

Wozniacki stated that before competing in the US Open, she will return at the Canadian Open in Montreal in early August to regain her rhythm. In a recent blog with Vogue, she mentioned that her long-term goal is the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

"So I'm going to play the US Open. There's just an electric atmosphere in New York that I can't get enough of, and I've played so well there for years and years. After that, I'll have a couple of months to prepare for Australia and we'll take it from there. The Paris Olympics are definitely a goal too," she wrote.