US OPEN

August 27, 2024

Caroline Wozniacki

Press Conference

C. WOZNIACKI/N. Hibino

6-0, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Caroline, congratulations. Two sets, under an hour. Your thoughts on your performance today.

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I thought it was a good performance. Obviously you want to get a good start into the tournament. It's a warm day, playing someone who I have never played before, so that's always tricky. But I think I started off well, I served pretty well. I got a lot of balls back. Tried to change the direction.

I was pleased with the way I played today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. When you came back last year, everything was kind of new and you were still readjusting to everything. Where do you think you are at a year into this comeback?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, I feel good. Obviously I've played for a year now. You know, it's been an adjustment for the body, as well, you know, with all that. But I feel good. I feel like if I play my best, I can beat anyone.

But obviously if you're not 100% then you can lose to everyone. It's all about resetting for every match and every point and then go from there, but I feel good right now, and I'm happy to be into the next round.

Q. What's been the biggest challenge? Physical, mental, getting into the competitive head space?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I think probably physically has been the biggest challenge, something that I'm not used to and throughout my whole career. You know, I have had thankfully very limited injuries and been pretty healthy throughout.

Coming back and just putting your body through that extra pressure and extra stuff is definitely not easy. And also, you know, when you have kids, you have a lot less time for everything else.

So that's been a hard part, but something I've also learned a lot, and I think I've just really enjoyed being out on court and playing (smiling).

Q. How would you compare the quality of your game right now and your enjoyment of it with the whole time during your comeback?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, I always love playing at the US Open. I think there are some tournaments throughout the year I enjoy a lot more than others. This is one of the tournaments where I love coming back. I love playing in front of a big crowd. I love New York in general, and I think that shows in my past results here.

So my enjoyment is great. I always feel like I bring some of my best tennis here in New York, so hopefully I can continue to do that. From match to match, it's obviously different, but I feel good. I'm very happy to be here.

Q. How does the way you're playing now compare with your expectations when you began your comeback?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I mean, I think I'm playing well. I think if my body holds up, I can play on a very high level.

So, you know, my expectation going into this comeback was to give it my all and work hard and play my hardest every single match. I feel like I've done that, so I'm really proud of that.

Some matches you play better; some matches you play a little worse. But at the end of the day, if I give it maximum effort, that's all I can ask for.

Q. How have your family and your kids adjusted to sort of life on the road? Where is Olivia at with the Open and everything?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: They absolutely love it. I mean, I bring them everywhere. I think it's such a great life experience for them, even though they're so young, they don't know any better. This is your life, traveling everywhere, meeting new people, seeing new places. I think they've become really open kids from that, and they adjust so well to a new bed, a new hotel room.

We came here this year, Olivia walks into her room, she goes, Wow, this is a nice house we have here. I go, Yeah, don't get too used to this. She goes, Well, this is mine now.

She, like, runs in and she's so thrilled. It's just fun to see the world through her and James' eyes. It's nice to see how easy they adjust to everything.

It's been a real joy to bring them and have them. Obviously, you know, being a mom is also full-time job, so, you know, juggling both is not always easy, but it's something that I'm so proud of and so happy to be able to do.

Q. I don't think you got a chance to play last fall after the Open I think because of injury. Are you planning to play a fuller schedule after the Open?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I honestly don't know what my plans are after the Open right now. My initial thought is I'm probably not going to play after, but I don't know. I don't have a final say.

Again, wherever I travel, I'm going to go with the kids, and I also have to see what's best for the family and myself.

Q. That's for this year or in general?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: For this year, for now, yeah. Again, I don't know what the future brings, but for now, I'm focusing on here and then I'm going to make the next decisions then.