Remember how Caroline Wozniacki retired back in 2020? But by mid-2023, she was itching to return to the court. The return wasn’t going to be an easy one, as she was a new mom to two young kids. Coming out of retirement, she wanted to make a statement. “I want to show those women that maybe there’s a way.”

And she just demonstrated that. Thursday saw the ultimate contest of youth and experience shrouded in darkness. “It was so difficult today. The outside court was windy. Then it got dark. Then we were told maybe we’d go here. Maybe Centre court. Maybe we’d play tomorrow,” the Danish tennis player remarked about her showdown against Canadian tennis star Leylah Annie Fernandez.

While rising star Fernandez eyed a giant-killing upset against Wimbledon veteran Wozniacki, the latter, now a wildcard entry and working mom, fought frustration as the late-night match stretched on. One swing (and phone call) at a time!

Caroline Wozniacki was seen ringing up her kids’ nanny as she was forced to play a late-night match. Her daughter Olivia is 3 years old, and her son James is 2. For Wozniacki, the match was more crucial than ever.

Amid the ongoing grass-court slam, the second-round clash between Wozniacki and Fernandez was stopped due to bad light. The decision was taken minutes after the Danish player requested the referee to halt the match, which was initially rejected. However, with both players 3-3 in the third set, the referee decided to shift the match from Court 12 to Court 1. As per the reports, the match started at 9:45 pm local time (London, England). Meanwhile, the situation left both the players frustrated.

34-year-old Wozniacki wasn’t taking 19-year-old Fernandez lightly. Remember Fernandez’s electrifying run to the US Open finals in 2021, upsetting titans like Osaka and Kerber? Wozniacki, despite a dominant first round, knew the battle was far from over. Fernandez, fresh off her grass court final at Eastbourne, snatched the second set. But Wozniacki, known for her resilience, dug deep. Facing match points at 4-5 in the third, she showcased her trademark defense, saving two points and turning the tide. Ultimately, the match ended with Wozniacki handing a defeat to Fernandez 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.

Wozniacki, after saving 2 match points to beat Fernandez, said how she was played with a little luck today. “… At the end of the day I tried to stay focused. I thought both of us played at a high level. She came out firing. I think she won the first 6 points or something. I kept digging deep and found some good serves. I think I got a little lucky today…I think definitely my experience helped me on days like today.” Will she rewrite her story at Wimbledon?

‘I was prepared’: Caroline Wozniacki opens up on her return to Wimbledon

Speaking after defeating Alycia Parks in the first round, the player revealed that she was ready for the challenge. “I knew I was going to play a big server and big hitter today, so I was prepared for that … Just tried to get as many balls in play as possible, and I was very pleased with my return game today specifically.” However, she did not fail to acknowledge the skills of her opponent.

“I’m just happy to be through to the next round. You know, when you play a girl like that, you just never know what to expect. That was just a match that I needed to get through. Keep my head down, keep my focus all the way through, and that was really that.”

Interesting Fact: Wozniacki has played Wimbledon six times and even progressed to the last 16. However, it is the only major where the player never entered the quarterfinal.

Last August, Wozniacki’s comeback began at the National Bank Open in Montreal. It was followed by playing at a tournament in Cincinnati and earning a wild card entry to play in the 2023 U.S. Open. As the tournament progresses, it will be interesting to see if the tennis star can continue her winning streak and do something exceptional at the grass slam.