MIAMI OPEN PRESENTED BY ITAú

March 19, 2024

Caroline Wozniacki

Press Conference

C. WOZNIACKI/C. Burel

6-1, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Caroline, do you want to start off by telling us about your match today and how you're feeling being back in Miami.

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, a lot different conditions than playing in Indian Wells. It's a lot faster. The ball is different. Everything is different.

But I'm just happy to be through to the next round, kind of get my rhythm in today. I felt like I played pretty decent when you think about all the changes that's been going on the last couple days.

I'm happy to be through and get another match.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. I want to talk about you and Venus being out there as wild cards still in the game. Former No. 1s coming back and still at it. Could you comment on Venus at her age coming back, doing what she's doing. Not a comeback really, but... For you, how is it different having two kids and doing what you do? Have you changed, do you feel?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I'm going to start with the first question.

I think it's amazing to see Venus still out there. I mean, she's 43 years old. She's a legend of the game. She's won so much. Really she's earned the right to do whatever she wants to do. If she wants to play another 10 years, that's great. If she wants to never play again, that's also great.

I think it's just an inspiration to see her playing and fit out there competing against all these youngsters. It's not easy. It takes a lot of hard work behind the scenes and practice and taking care of your body.

I think it's always great to see her, see her in the draw. She obviously still loves playing. I think as long as she wants to play, I'm all for her playing where she wants and when she wants.

For me, having two kids, I took a long break, and I'm back playing. It's nice. It's a different perspective for me. I didn't think I was going to be here again. For me to be out and competing against the best players in the world, it's a lot of fun.

I definitely think I don't put as much pressure on myself. I think having that perspective of I have my family and they are there and they don't really care. I win or lose, they're still there and want mom. It's great.

For them still to be able to see me put the work in, it's a great way also for them to learn. And for them to travel with me and my family, it's great. I think we're getting closer even in a different way. They have to adapt, but I think it's fun for them.

Olivia is always excited about getting on a plane and going to meet new people and see new places. She still talks about Paris. I don't know why Paris. I mean, I guess a lot of people love Paris. But that's one that kind of sticks out to her. She talks about all the places we've been. I think it's great. She's so young. James is even younger. But I see her really take everything in, and that's pretty cool.

Q. Caro, are you recovered from everything that happened in Indian Wells?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Hmmm... I don't know. It's getting better every day. That's kind of where I'm at right now, just kind of trying to manage the best way I can.

There's obviously not that big of a turnaround, especially when you don't have a bye. You're kind of grinding your way back into your ranking. Playing well and long in Indian Wells didn't give me a lot of time to take off.

I was positively surprised out there today that I could move and play as well as I could. Yeah, I'm happy with the way things are right now.

Q. Another comeback in Simona. Your thoughts there?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, first of all, I've always liked Simona. We've always had a good relationship.

I've been very outspoken in the past how I feel about doping and all of that. I think my view on doping is the same. I have always wanted a clean sport, fair for everybody. I think it's definitely still my opinion.

Again, this is not directly at Simona, but if someone purposely cheats, if someone has tested positive for doping... I understand why a tournament wants a big star in the tournament, but it's my personal belief, and it's not a knock on anyone, but it's my personal belief that I don't think people should be awarded wild cards afterwards.

If you want to come back, and it's been a mistake, I understand, you should work your way up from the bottom. That's my personal opinion upon things.

Simona's situation has obviously dragged on for a long time. She got her suspension reduced. It wasn't a clearance, it was a reduced sentence. She's now been off of the game for a while and she's coming back.

Again, I just hope for a clean sport. That's all I want. I want to have good role models for the young generation. It's a sport that has a lot of money in it, a lot of competitiveness, a lot of competitors. I want a fair fight.

I've always been a very honest athlete and always looked at everything that I've taken. Even taking Tylenol is something I double and triple check three times. All I want is for my kids to look up and say, You know what, I want to play tennis and I want to play fair.

I still got a chance. I want to be out there competing fair and square with everyone else. That's my view on things, how I'm raising my kids as well. Fight fair. No matter where you're going to be, what you want to do, just do it with the right mindset, yeah. That's where I am.

That was a longwinded answer, but...

Q. Going to be careful in the way I ask this question. One of your colleagues is dealing with a horrific situation. You're a veteran, beloved player, colleague. Is it something you're able to address with that person and take a leadership role on or it's just too private to talk about?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I can't even imagine what she's going through right now. I'm saying that. I'm also tearing up. It's such a terrible situation. It's so hard. I reached out to her and I told her that I was here if she needed anything.

I love Aryna. I think she's such a great person. She's always so happy and out there. To see her go through that, it's heartbreaking. I can't even imagine what she's going through right now. Everyone grieves in a different way.

She was walking past today. I was giving her her space. I let her know that if she ever needs anything, I'm here, we're here for her.

Q. You mentioned one of your kids always remembers Paris. Speaking of Paris, do you see yourself in the Olympics? Is that a goal for this year?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Absolutely. That was one of the main reasons also why I wanted to come back. I want to compete in the Olympics. I want to play for my country. I want to compete for medals. It's one of the few things I feel like I don't have on my résumé, is winning an Olympic medal.

Obviously doing that in the singles or mixed doubles or whatever would be such a prideful moment. I would love to be part of that, for sure.

Q. I think almost exactly 12 months ago you were here doing commentary for Tennis Channel. I saw you in the media elevator. Came out, gave all the press a hug. At that moment, did you think this was coming then in terms of timing?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Let me think. I think I was contemplating it. I was contemplating it, but it wasn't something where I was sure of anything at that point. I think this was right around this time when I was contemplating, Oh, maybe I can do it, maybe not.

But you have to put yourself on the anti-doping list six months before. It must have been right around now, right? Right around now I had to put my name out there in case I thought about it. Yeah, I think we're right about that time.

Q. On a way lighter note, with the children, do James and Olivia go by Jimmy or Jim or Jamie or Livy? Is it purely James and Olivia?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: James right now I call either James or Jamesy. He goes mostly by Jamesy. Olivia, everyone calms her different things. I call her Olivia. David sometimes calls her O. Grandparents sometimes call her Livy. There's a lot. It goes multiple directions.

Mostly Jamesy. People call him Jamesy.