OMNIUM BANQUE NATIONALE

August 9, 2023

Caroline Wozniacki

Press Conference

M. VONDROUSOVA/C. Wozniacki

6-2, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Caroline, if you can just give us your overall thoughts on the match today and also being here in Montreal for your comeback.

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, it was a tough match today. Obviously it didn't go the way I'd hoped, but at the end of the day I think there was a lot of positives I can bring with me.

I think in periods I played very well, and then in others I made a few too many unforced errors. All in all, I'm going in the right direction, and I think it's to be expected after having not having played a lot of matches in a long time.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. So after this first week after those first two matches, what have you learned about what's ahead of you and what you need to do in order to come back to the level you want to?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, there's a couple of things I need to work on, but, again, all in all, everything is going to come with playing more matches and just getting out there.

So at the end of the day I'm happy with having two matches under my belt here and getting some practice in in Cincinnati and then play the tournament there. I think it's going to be good for me.

Q. Just in terms of after your first match, how did you kind of pull up after that? With the tension of a match it's different than practice sessions and all that sort of stuff.

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, I actually felt pretty good this morning. I got a nice little lay-in and slept in for a little bit.

Then obviously as you are playing another match today, you can feel the one from yesterday a little bit. But, all in all, I think everything into consideration, I think it was pretty good.

Q. In the second set at 0-3 it kind of looked like she had you on the ropes, but you rallied for four wins in a row. What happened in your mind so that you gathered all your energies to come back that way?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, I think I was making a few too many unforced errors. She stepped in and played well. It kind of got away from me pretty quickly there in the second set.

Then I decided I just have to just keep playing my game and stepping into the court. Then the momentum kind of shifted from there.

Q. You said that before the tournament that you didn't really have expectations for this week because you just didn't kind of have a sense as to where things were at. So with respect to your level given how you've been practicing and everything like that, are you pleased with kind of where you are in terms of expectation for your first and second matches back?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I think all in all I could be happy with the way I compete and the way that I showed up here.

I think, again, would I wish to win the tournament? Obviously, but also realistically you have to just take it step by step.

All in all I'm going to take a lot of positives with me from this week and build on that moving forward.

Q. US Open is a big thing looming ahead. These days, what have they done to your expectations overall for New York?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I think it's good. I won my match yesterday. I played today against someone who just won Wimbledon.

I feel like first set was 6-2, but I really think it was closer than that. There was a lot of missed opportunities from me.

She played well in those moments, and that comes from playing a lot of matches. I think in the second set it was close. Again, you know, with more matches under my belt, I think I'm right there. I'm not far away, and I'm just going to build on that.

Q. Between the fitness level required and the execution and precision that you need, what do you find has been the toughest part to sort of get back thus far?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, I think it's, again, the match, you know, playing real matches. In those moments I'm used to having very few unforced errors, and I'm having a few more. It's just something where it just takes a little time to just get back into that proper match rhythm.

Again, I think there's a lot of positives I can bring with me and then there's some things that I can work on. And I think the more I play, the better it's going to be for me.

Q. Which part of the game do you feel like you can control better now after the comeback?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, I think, again, it's going to be a lot of in the important moments when you have break point, when you're break point down, making the right decisions and making the smart decision in those moments and feeling confident and comfortable enough to go for your shots and be confident enough that you know that those are going to go in, and you're not going to make an easy error in those moments.

That for me is something that I'm sure is going to come with more match play.

Q. I know it's a cliche, but how do you feel? Disappointed? Are you satisfied? I know not satisfied, but yeah.

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I think as a competitor you always want to win obviously, but at the end of the day if I look at this tournament, I'm proud of myself. I'm happy that I got to play two matches. I'm happy that I kind of know where I stand, what I can do moving forward.

I think it's a great learning curve, and I'm happy that I know where I am, and I don't feel like I'm that far away from where I want to be.

It's great to be here and learn a lot along the way.

Q. Just a small detail, but does your family follow you to Cincinnati and New York?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, for sure. They'll be with me everywhere. Wherever I go, my kids and my family will be there. So I can't stay away from them. I would miss them too much.

They're having a blast. Olivia explored the Bouncy Castle World down in the Old Harbor today, so she had a blast. You're supposed to be 3, but she's big and very coordinated for a 2-year-old, so she was allowed to go on it.

Apparently had the time of her life this afternoon (laughing).