Caroline Wozniacki’s remarkable US Open comeback story continued as she beat Jennifer Brady 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 on Arthur Ashe Stadium – and she then revealed she is being cheered on all the way by her good friend Serena Williams.
Wozniacki surprised the tennis world when she announced she would be making a comeback a few weeks ago and she has confirmed she is still a real force at the top of the game by reaching the fourth round in New York.
She was heavily pregnant as Serena staged her own farewell to tennis party at last year’s US Open, but it seems she is being driven on by the support of her legendary friend this year.
“I talk to her all the time,” said Wozniacki of Williams, who is currently pregnant herself.
“She’s obviously busy now as well, but we talk all the time. She watched my match today.
“Things are very different from this time last year when I was heavily pregnant. I was eight months pregnant last September. I was just here to support my friend. Obviously I worked with ESPN. I was doing a lot of commentating and studio stuff.
“I really wanted to support her in her last tournament. That was something very special.
“I wasn’t really thinking about my own comeback at that point. I was trying to figure out how I’m going to handle two kids.
“It’s been cool that after James was born and I went on court, all of a sudden I go, Okay, well, let’s give it a try. Now we’re here, and that’s pretty special.”
Wozniacki went on to suggest he was not entirely surprised by her impressive form in her comeback Grand Slam, as she hinted he is ready for more wins at the US Open.
“I guess I always had the belief in myself,” continued Wozniacki.
“It takes a little time just to get back into the match rhythm. I felt like I had a great rhythm. I was working on my fitness to get back into good shape.
“Knowing what I’ve experienced throughout my career, I knew where I was at.
“Would I have been surprised had I lost in the first round? No. Would I be surprised if I keep winning? Also no. “If I play my best tennis, I know I’m tough to beat. Someone really has to play well.
“As a competitor and an athlete you always want to win and you have to believe in yourself, but playing here on Arthur Ashe again is a dream come true.
“When I retired three years ago and having had two kids, I thought I’d just be here watching. What an honour this is.”
Former British No 1 Tim Henman was full of praise for Wozniacki, as he suggested her composure helped her to recover from losing the first set.
“There was no panic,” said Henman. “Wozniacki knew she wasn’t playing her best but she slowly began to get the momentum.
“She was relentless and kept building on that in the third set.
“The intensity was there, she didn’t give Brady anything and ran away with it. A really impressive performance in only her third tournament coming back.”