Caroline Wozniacki: Playing Olympic mixed doubles with Holger Rune is "a big goal"

WATCH: Marketa Vondrousova defeats Caroline Wozniacki in the 2023 Montreal second round

CINCINNATI, Ohio—Former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki is settling into the swing of things on the Hologic WTA Tour, as the 33-year-old continues her ‘un-retirement’ comeback run at the Western & Southern Open.

Returning to Cincinnati felt like a full-circle moment for the Dane, who made her WTA main draw debut at this tournament as a 15 year old back in 2005. (“So, just a few years ago,” Wozniacki quipped during a press conference with a cheeky grin.)

But while she’s been focused on taking it one match and one tournament at a time, Wozniacki doubled down on Sunday about the “big goal” of her second act: Playing mixed doubles with countryman Holger Rune at next year's Olympics in Paris.

“I practiced with him in Monaco, we were both there and it was awesome,” Wozniacki recalled. “I mean, he hits such a clean ball. I would love to be on the same side of the net with him as well.

“Obviously, the Olympics would be awesome to play and mixed doubles with him would be a big goal. But we'll see how everything shakes up.”

It’s a sentiment shared by Rune, who has already thrown his hat into the ring to be her doubles partner: “I was so happy when she said that,” he grinned during a Tennis Channel Live interview. “That could be very, very fun.”

During Wozniacki’s absence, a growing wave of Danish stars has surged into prominence, led by Rune, who has become a Top 10 mainstay on the ATP Tour with four titles to his name, and former WTA Top 40 player Clara Tauson.

“It’s awesome,” she said. “We're such a small country, only five and a half or six million people and to have two tennis players after me come up and play well... Holger obviously is just playing unbelievable.”

Wozniacki recalled her first meetings with young Rune, a former junior world No. 1 and 2019 Roland Garros boys champion. She says she knew right away Rune had “something special” after seeing his desire to improve even at such a young page.

“I had a lot of respect for him already,” she explained. “Years ago when I first saw him, I knew he was a hard worker. He wanted this really badly. I knew that he would ask questions and see what he could do better. And I just knew that there was something special about that. I think it's great to see him do as well as he's doing.”

While the next generation of players is making their strides, Wozniacki is content to take things at her own pace. Back in action after three years in retirement and having given birth to two children with husband David Lee, Wozniacki made her surprise return to tennis in Montreal. She defeated Kimberly Birrell in a confidence-boosting straight sets, before bowing out to reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in the next match.

“I think with the experience that I have, I don't panic,” the 33-year-old explained. “Like, I think when you're a young player, you want to win everything immediately and if you don't, you start questioning everything else.

“But in my head, I know where I am, I know where I want to be, and I know what I need to do to get there.”

Wild card Wozniacki will take on fellow returning mom Elina Svitolina on Monday in Cincinnati, in one of the most anticipated encounters of the opening rounds.