Caroline Wozniacki, the Danish tennis star whose graceful ferocity once ruled the courts, has been conspicuously absent from the 2025 season, leaving fans and analysts alike buzzing with speculation. The former world No. 1, celebrated for her 2018 Australian Open triumph and a career that’s inspired countless young players, hasn’t swung a racket competitively since late last year. Whispers of retirement swirled, especially after she withdrew from the Australian Open just a week before its January start—an event where she’d been granted a wildcard and was set to shine. But on April 6, 2025, the mystery unraveled in the most heartwarming way: Wozniacki announced she’s expecting her third child with husband David Lee, a revelation that’s shifted the narrative from concern to celebration.
The announcement came wrapped in familial joy, shared through a charming beachside photo of Wozniacki, Lee, and their two children, Olivia and James, beaming under the sun. “Officially switching to zone defense!” the couple declared, their words brimming with excitement. “Our family couldn’t be more excited to welcome baby #3 soon!” For Wozniacki, 34, and Lee, a 41-year-old former NBA champion, this marks another chapter in a love story that began in a Miami restaurant nearly a decade ago. Married since 2019, they’ve built a life that balances athletic legacies with the tender chaos of parenthood, and this latest addition promises to deepen that journey.
Wozniacki’s absence from the court had puzzled the tennis world. After a triumphant return in 2023 following a three-year retirement—prompted by her desire to start a family—she’d shown flashes of her old brilliance. Reaching the fourth round of the 2024 US Open as a wildcard, she proved that motherhood hadn’t dulled her competitive edge. Yet, as 2025 dawned, her name was missing from tournament rosters. “My body is not feeling great,” she’d hinted earlier this year, a cryptic clue that fueled speculation about injuries or a second farewell. Now, it’s clear that her focus has shifted—not to the baseline, but to the nursery.
This pregnancy explains her Australian Open withdrawal, a decision that left fans disappointed but now feels like a tender footnote. Wozniacki had been slated to kick off her season in Melbourne, a city where she’d once hoisted the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup. Instead, she’s been savoring quieter moments—perhaps resting, perhaps chasing after Olivia, 3, and James, 2, who’ve already stolen hearts with their mini-tennis antics. “I hope so, I hope so,” she said when asked about returning to the court, her optimism leaving the door ajar for a future comeback. For now, though, she’s embracing “the best job in the world”—being a mom—while her racquet gathers dust.
The news has rippled through the tennis community, drawing smiles and well-wishes from peers and fans. Wozniacki’s journey as a mother-athlete resonates deeply in a sport increasingly shaped by players who defy the old playbook. She retired in 2020 to focus on family, welcoming Olivia in 2021 and James in 2022, only to stun the world with her 2023 return. “I try to make sure that I’m still a 100 percent present mum whilst also trying to balance being the best tennis player I can be,” she’s said, capturing the tightrope she walks. This third pregnancy, due later in 2025, might delay her next serve, but it’s a testament to her knack for rewriting her own story.
Lee, who retired from basketball in 2017, has been her rock through it all, trading jump shots for diaper duty and now preparing for a roster expansion. The couple’s Instagram post—a snapshot of sandy toes and growing dreams—hints at a summer arrival, though no due date was specified. Wozniacki’s history suggests she won’t stay away forever; her 2023 comeback was fueled by a hunger to compete, and at 34, she’s still young enough to chase more titles. Yet, for now, the court can wait. As she prepares to welcome baby No. 3, Wozniacki’s proving that her greatest victories might just be the ones she’s building off the court—one giggle, one cuddle, one new life at a time.