Caroline Wozniacki’s confidence still high despite Cincy exit – ‘I believe in myself’

Shahida Jacobs
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Caroline Wozniacki smiles during a match
Caroline Wozniacki takes a break

Caroline Wozniacki admits she still has work to do ahead of the US Open, but she is prepared to put in the hard yards over the next couple of days.

Having announced in June that she is coming out of retirement, the former world No 1 enjoyed a solid comeback at the Canadian Open last week as she won her opener before going down in two sets against Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova.

She was back in action at the Cincinnati Open on Tuesday as she took on lucky loser Varvara Gracheva in the first round of the WTA 1000 tournament, but there was just no real momentum as she went down 6-4, 6-4 against the Frenchwoman.

With the US Open still more than a week away, the two-time Flushing Meadows runner-up is not feeling too downbeat about her disappointing out against Gracheva.

“I still have about 10 days to prepare for the US Open. There are quite a few things that I feel like I need to do better,” the Dane, who has received a wildcard entry for the final Grand Slam of the year, said.

“Last week I was pretty pleased about where I was. I think this week I don’t feel like my timing is exactly where I want it to be, so I’m just going to go back and work hard.

“I will stay here [in Cincinnati] for a little while and work hard. Get a bunch of tennis in and put some hours in.”

Mother of two Wozniacki is currently No 632 in the WTA Rankings and she knows she has a long way to go, but there is no doubt in the 33-year-old’s mind that she can still have a big impact on the WTA Tour despite her three-year absence.

“I believe in myself and I believe that I can [have a big impact],” she replied when asked if she could make a big splash on the women’s tour once again.

“It’s just taking me a little bit of time to get used to the matches again and competing in real tournaments.

“I don’t really feel the expectations from everyone else. I think I have always just been tough on myself. I’m looking for perfection, which is not possible in this sport but I’m just gonna work hard and try and play better and better.”

READ MORE: Former Wimbledon champion says Caroline Wozniacki can’t be written off as a US Open contender

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