Danish player wants to play mixed doubles with former world one at Paris Olympics
\nTORONTO
\nWorld number six Holger Rune said on Sunday he hopes to partner in mixed doubles at next year\u2019s Paris Olympics with fellow Dane Caroline Wozniacki.
\nWozniacki, a 33-year-old former WTA world number one and 2018 Australian Open champion, returns to competition this week at Montreal after retiring in 2020.
\nRune, a 20-year-old who reached last month\u2019s Wimbledon quarter-finals before falling to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz, confirmed that the Danish all-star combination could be getting closer to reality.
\n\u201cIt would be really cool, I really like her as a person and a player,\u201d he said. \u201cIt would be the perfect mix for me at the Olympics. I hope we can make it happen.\u201d
\nRune said he practiced with his compatriot a few days ago in Monte Carlo, where they both reside.
\n\u201cIt was super-exciting,\u201d he said. \u201cShe was hitting the ball well and hardly missing at all.
\n\u201cI was surprised that she was playing that well. She is really determined \u2013 when she goes for something I\u2019m sure she will do it well.\u201d
\nRune warned, however, that extended layoffs are tough to overcome.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s difficult to come back and play matches after a long time away,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cThere are a lot of nerves involved. But once she gets that sorted out, I think she\u2019s going to be dangerous.\u201d
\nIn Montreal on Sunday, Wozniacki pronounced herself ready to launch her comeback.
\n\u201cPreparation has been good, if tiring,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019ve been working hard.
\n\u201cI want to be ready for this week and the US Open. I\u2019m happy to be back and playing my first event in years.\u201d
\nShe opens against a qualifier on Tuesday.
\n\u201cThings are going to be exciting on Tuesday,\u201d Wozniacki said.
\nWozniacki is leaping into the unknown with a comeback that includes family travel with two children.
\n\u201cI\u2019ve not played a match in a long time and I realise that the first match won\u2019t be perfect,\u201d she said.
\n\u201cI\u2019ll do my best and fight as hard as I can. I want to play as many matches as possible and hope to peak for the US Open.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Danish player wants to play mixed doubles with former world one at Paris Olympics TORONTO World number six Holger Rune said on Sunday he hopes to partner in mixed doubles at next year\u2019s Paris Olympics with fellow Dane Caroline Wozniacki. Wozniacki, a 33-year-old former WTA world number one and 2018 Australian Open champion, returns to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":347816,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-347800","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n