Caroline Wozniacki eyes a dream Olympics return alongside her Danish counterpart Holger Rune

Former World Number 1 and 2018 Australian Open Champion Caroline Wozniacki made a surprise return to tennis last week at the National Bank Open. Although her return was cut short by the reigning Wimbledon Champion Markéta Vondroušová in the second round, the Danish legend showed glimpses of her old self in the two matches she played. The Danish tennis player who ranked number 1 for 71 weeks was joined by her dad and her NBA champion husband, David Lee, in her first game back.

While taking it ‘one-game at a time’, Wozniacki couldn’t hide her excitement at the prospect of playing mixed-doubles alongside her Danish counterpart Holger Rune at next year’s Paris Olympics. Notably, the pair had practiced together in Monaco before they began their respective hard-court swings. Talking about the hitting session, Rune said,“She looked in very, very good shape.”

Sharing her optimism on the prospect of playing mixed doubles together, Wozniacki said,”I mean, he hits such a clean ball. I would love to be on the same side of the net with him as well.” Rune shared the sentiment and was very keen to help Caroline Wozniacki realise her dream, the 20-year old Dane couldn’t hide his happiness on being asked by Wozniacki to team up with her. Talking about the possible match-up Rune said,”That could be very, very fun.” (H/T: Tennis.com)

Next-up Caroline Wozniacki is scheduled to play Elina Svitolina at the Cincinnati Masters. Svitolina, who welcomed her first kid last October, alongside the French tennis player Gael Monfils, has had a hugely successful return to tennis. Wozniacki, who herself is a mother to two kids, would hope that she could write a similar script on her return to tennis.

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Caroline Wozniacki a big inspiration admits Holger Rune

In an interview with ATPTour.com, the 20-year-old Dane Holger Rune said that Caroline Wozniacki inspired him and many other Danish children by reaching World No. 1 and winning a major title at the 2018 Australian Open. Rune mentioned that Wozniacki winning the Australian Open was his standout memory of the Danish legend. Further elaborating on Wozniacki becoming the first Dane to win a Major singles title at the Australian Open Rune said, “It was wild to watch a Danish player win a Grand Slam in an incredible match, so it was a big inspiration.”

In another special interview together, before their participation in the Cincinnati masters, Wozniacki showered praise on her Danish counterpart. Talking about his rapid rise to the top of tennis, former world number 1 remarked,”It’s just been awesome to see the quick progression that Holger’s been making and now obviously being top five in the world is so special.” The respect for each other’s game was mutual, as Rune was impressed by the level shown by Wozniacki on her return to tennis.

Rune would be looking forward to putting the disappointment of an early exit at the National Bank Open behind him as he sets out to play his first-round match at the Cincinnati Masters. The Dane reached his career-high ranking of 5 on Monday. The 20-year-old has reached the second week of Grand Slam two times this year and would hope to replicate that performance at the upcoming US Open.

In case you missed it:

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• Serena Williams’ former coach Rennae Stubbs enraged by lack of recognition towards female coaches on the Tour

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