Caroline Wozniacki will return to the Australian Open next month for the first time in four years after receiving a wildcard into the main draw.
The former world No.1 originally retired from tennis at Melbourne Park in 2020 before deciding to make a return to the sport earlier this year during the summer at the age of 33. Wozniacki has played in only three tournaments so far in her comeback with her most recent being in September at the US Open where she reached the fourth round before losing to Coco Gauff, who went on to win the title. She also reached the second round of the Canadian Open but lost in the first round of Cincinnati.
“I have so many wonderful memories of Melbourne, and of course winning the Australian Open is an all-time career highlight,” said Wozniacki, who is currently ranked outside the top 200.
2024 will be Wozniacki’s 14th appearance in the main draw of the Australian Open. In 2018 she beat Simona Halep to win her first and so far only Grand Slam title. She also reached the semi-finals in 2011 and then the quarter-final stage 12 months later.
“Melbourne’s one of my most favourite cities in the world, and I can’t wait to share it with my family and my kids,” she told The AO Show podcast.
“It’s obviously a tournament I feel extremely comfortable at. I love the balls, I love the court, and I love the fans.
“And I hope that I get a nice welcome back when I see everyone there – and I’m sure I will; it really is a special place.
“I’m truly grateful to everyone for the wildcard and having the opportunity to compete again at the AO in January.”
Wozniacki has recently been in South America where she played an exhibition match against Maria Sakkari in Mexico last week. She is yet to confirm if she will play any tournaments leading up to the Australian Open. However, she is not on the entry list for the Brisbane International which will begin on December 31st.
Besides Wozniacki, six Australian players have also been given wildcards to play in the first Grand Slam of the season. For the women’s draw Kimberly Birrell, Olivia Gadecki and Taylah Preston have received passes. Meanwhile, James Duckworth, Marc Polmans and Adam Walton will play in the men’s draw.
The Australian Open is taking place over 15 days for the first time in its history with play starting on Sunday 14th January. Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka are the defending champions.
