Caroline Wozniacki reveals inspiring Serena Williams message that changed her mindset - 'Your time is coming'

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Former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki says one agonisingly close battle with the great Serena Williams completely reshaped her belief as a player.

'Your time is coming' - Wozniacki reveals inspiring Williams message

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The Dane recalls pushing Williams to the brink at the Sydney International in 2009, serving for the match at 6-5 in the deciding set before the American forced a tie-break and escaped with victory to reach the semi‑finals.

Wozniacki, who retired from tennis after the Australian Open in January 2020 before making a sensational return in 2023, managed only one victory in 11 matches against her close friend.

”I had watched Serena and Venus play growing up and they were my heroes. I had match points against Serena and I just remember one of the match points that kind of topped the net and came over,” she told TNT Sports.

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”I ended up losing the match 7-6 in the third and that really hurt. She just came up to me at the net afterwards and she goes: ‘It wasn’t your time yet. Your time is coming, but not yet. This is my day.'

”I felt like, ‘I’m close. If I can play up against Serena and have match points against her, I can certainly beat everyone else.'”

That belief ultimately carried her to the 2018 Australian Open title, 30 career singles trophies and 71 weeks as world No. 1.

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Now 35, Wozniacki has not played since the 2024 US Open and has since welcomed her third child - but she has not fully closed the door on another comeback.

"If I think I can get back in shape, never say never," Wozniacki told the Nothing Major Show in November 2025.

"But with three small children, it's already a full-time job. I want to travel. It's been fun doing TV and I really enjoy it. So I think that's my next step. I like to work a few weeks a year and then relax with my family. It's the perfect balance."

While Wozniacki appears content with family life and television work, Williams is preparing for a return to competition, nearly four years after stepping away from the sport.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner will play women's doubles with Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko at London's Queen's Club later this month at the age of 44, after retiring following the US Open in 2022.

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"Queen’s Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter," Williams said in a statement.

"Grass has given me some of the most meaningful moments of my career, and I’m excited to be back competing on one of the sport’s most iconic stages.”

The tennis world has been reacting to the news, with fellow American tennis great John McEnroe telling TNT Sports: "I'm semi-shocked that she decided to do this at her age after having two kids and what she accomplished.

"I know she didn't have a major after she had her first kid and I know that was something she wanted to prove she could do.

"I assume she's slightly disappointed in not doing that. When was her last match, four years ago? That's a big ask, even for Serena. But it's awesome for tennis, let's be real. She's the GOAT."

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