Caroline Wozniacki admits she gets ‘mom guilt’ when trying to combine her tennis career with being a parent.
The Danish former world No.1 is through to the last 16 of the US Open for the second year running after beating Jessika Ponchet 6-3, 6-2. It is the 23rd time that Wozniacki has reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam, which is the second-highest amount among players currently ranked in the top 300 after Victoria Azarenka (30). Overall, she has dropped just 12 games in her first three matches played in this year’s US Open.
“I love playing here. Any time I get to play another match here, I’m very pleased with that.” Said Wozniacki.
“I’m thrilled to be into the second week, of course. I’m just excited to get to play hopefully on one of the big courts in the next one (match) as well and kind of move from there.”
The 34-year-old retired from tennis in 2020 to start a family but decided to make a comeback to the sport three years later. So far this season, she reached one WTA semi-final in Auckland, as well as the quarter-finals of two other events. She is currently ranked 71st in the world.
Wozniacki’s return to professional tennis provides her with plenty of challenges both on and off the court. The biggest of them is trying to balance life as a professional athlete with being a mother. She has two children Olivia and James.
“My kids are there every single day, and I really appreciate it. It’s the best job in the world, and I love it.” She said.
“I try to make sure that I am still there as 100% present mom while I’m also trying to balance being the best tennis player that I possibly can be. I think that’s where sometimes it can get a little tricky. Obviously my family is the most important thing to me, but at the same time, I love winning.
“So finding that balance of being I need to take time out for me and be able to recover and play and practice as much as I can and try not to feel guilty of taking a few hours away from the kids. I think that sometimes that mom guilt comes out, but I try and manage it as well as I can.”
As for her goals on the court, Wozniacki states that her priority is trying to peak in time for the major events. She has played in more than 50 Grand Slam main draws, winning the 2018 Australian Open and reaching the US Open final twice.
“I try and peak for the slams right now,” she explained.
“Back in the day, I was fresh and ready to play every single tournament. Now I’m using every tournament that I play for the Grand Slams, and that’s my main goal. that’s where I want to be, that’s where I know I play every other day, I can really set myself up, my body can be set up for playing 100% every single match.”
Wozniacki will next play Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia on Monday.
