MELBOURNE: Both Caroline Wozniacki and Angelique Kerber have had incredible success at the Australian Open, but they acknowledge that when they return to Melbourne Park this year after extended vacations, they won’t be able to concentrate only on the game. After becoming the world’s top player in 2018 after winning her only Grand Slam championship at Rod Laver Arena, Wozniacki comes back to Melbourne six years later, this time accompanied by her kids Olivia and James. It’s challenging. About balancing professional tennis with child care, the 33-year-old wild card remarked, “It feels like you have two full-time jobs basically.” “I know there are countless numbers of women who work full-time jobs and are also mothers, but it’s difficult to find that balance and be able to do both.I like to tell myself, ‘You’re doing well, we’re all right,’ sometimes. We’re surviving some days, and thriving others. The kids are content and we’re getting by day by day.” After nearly four years away from the circuit, Wozniacki played just seven matches last year. This year, in Auckland, she lost to Elina Svitolina, a mother.
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The world number 252 still thinks she has what it takes to play in the women’s game at the greatest level, though. Adding, “I think I’m playing well,” Wozniacki said. In the opening round, she will take on Magda Linette, the 20th seed.”I feel very comfortable about my body… I’m simply going to concentrate on my opponent in the first round and type of go. Kerber, who won the first of her three major wins in Melbourne in 2016, will be accompanied by her baby daughter as she returns to Grand Slam action for the first time since the 2022 US Open.Along with Svitolina and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, the two women who have just given birth, the 35-year-old German was happy to see close friend and fellow baseliner Wozniacki return.
“Seeing moms return is fantastic,” stated the 657th-ranked player in the world. “I believe that the fans will find it really fascinating to watch us play again and follow the comebacks. “I think for us, it is completely different mindset because, of course, we are not really the important person right now in our lives, there is someone else. “After missing 18 months of action, Kerber returned to the United Cup two weeks ago and won one of her five matches. However, she was dealt a bit of a reality check when she lost 6-3, 6-0 to Iga Swiatek. She also had a difficult draw. If she advances past the American, she will face world number one Swiatek in the second round. Danielle Collins, the 2022 runner-up, will be her opponent in the opening round. She remarked, “This is my first real tournament.” “I want to see how far I can go and play as well as I can.
