Former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki has been backed to be a surprise success as she returns to the WTA Tour.
Compatriot and former Wimbledon doubles champion Frederik Lochte Nielsen believes that Wozniacki will have similar joy on her return to that experienced by Kim Clijsters and Serena Williams.
Clijsters had retired very young and would return to the game and win Grand Slams.
Nielsen also noted that Serena Williams enjoyed an under-rated career on her return from an extended absence after the birth of her daughter Olympia.
“Kim Clijsters was also out, and Serena was also out when she had a child, and I think it’s somewhat underestimated how great a career she actually had when she came back,” Nielsen told SpilXperten.
“So there are people who have done it before, and we shouldn’t impose limitations on these special individuals when they don’t even have any limitations themselves. So we should just let them do what they can.”
“It will be incredibly exciting to see. As I said, she’s not doing this just for fun, but because she believes she can compete. With the mentality she has, I wouldn’t dismiss her for anything.”
Nielsen has a good idea of where Wozniacki is at having hit with her recently.
Wozniacki admits that for nearly two years she didn’t touch a racket which places the hit out with Nielsen at some point in the last six months or so.
“I have seen her play, and I have even played with her myself. She plays really well, but of course, it’s difficult to know where she stands because it’s different when you enter a match,” Nielsen revealed.
“But there is one thing I know about Caroline, and that is that you should never underestimate her character and her mentality, which truly take you far.
“She is used to being one of the best in the world, and she certainly still sees herself that way. She hits the ball well, and she’s not doing this because she can’t pass the time, but because she feels she can be competitive.”
“She believes she can compete with the best, otherwise, she wouldn’t have done it. It’s a bit difficult to assess her level right now, and of course, we’ll have a slightly better indication of that after Montreal.
“But she is a unique personality, and she has a unique mentality, so one should by no means write her off or be surprised by anything. That’s why she has been so good in the past as well. She definitely feels that she can compete with the best.”
