US Open 2023: Caroline Wozniacki makes winning Grand Slam return

Caroline Wozniacki won her opening match in her first Grand Slam appearance in over three years on Monday, beating Russian qualifier Tatiana Prozorova 6-3, 6-2 at the US Open. The former world number one from Denmark returned to tennis earlier this month, having retired after the 2020 Australian Open to start a family, and giving birth to two children. Wozniacki broke three times in the first set against her 227th-ranked opponent who was making her Grand Slam main draw debut and playing just her third tour-level event. Prozorova required treatment for a leg injury between sets before Wozniacki, the US Open runner-up in 2009 and 2014, wrapped up victory and set up a meeting with another former Grand Slam champion, Petra Kvitova.

Caroline Wozniacki after winning first match at a Slam since becoming a mom:

“It feels amazing to be back. I was very nervous coming out here. I haven’t been out here since 2019. A lot has happened since then. It just feels amazing to get another chance out here on this big… pic.twitter.com/CEDkDzIAe1

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 29, 2023

“It feels amazing to be back,” said the 33-year-old Wozniacki, who was handed a wild card entry for the tournament. “Obviously I was very nervous to be out here having not been out here since 2019.” “It’s amazing to get another chance. To get a win under my belt, it feels so special,” she added. “I love playing out here. It’s just so electric, there’s such a buzz coming out here in New York to play.”