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Caroline Wozniacki was ‘shocked’ by Rory McIlroy split: Tennis player wants to ‘move on’

McIlroy broke off his engagement with the former world number one last week

Ella Alexander
Wednesday 28 May 2014 11:09 BST
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Rory McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki together in January 2014
Rory McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki together in January 2014

Caroline Wozniacki admits that her break-up with golfer Rory McIlroy “came as a bit of a shock”, as she talks to the press about their split for the first time.

The Irish sportsman broke off his engagement with the former world number one just days after their wedding invites were sent out.

He announced the news publicly last week, stating that the “problem is mine”.

Wozniacki played her first match since the split yesterday (27 May) during the French Open, in which she lost to Belgian player Yanina Wickmayer.

“You’re not prepared for something like this,” she said, referring to the break-up, “and it came as a bit of a shock. I just tried to prepare the best that I could, and really tried to focus on my match and on what I had to do out there.”

She also thanked those who have supported her and said that she wants to “move on” now. The sportswoman had previously said that supporting football club Liverpool had been a help in getting over the split.

“The only thing I really have to say is that to thank everybody for their support and sweet messages,” she said. “That’s really nice. What happens in my personal life, I just want to really keep that between my closest people around me. I just have to move on.”

The tennis player said that her close relationship with her family had been a huge strength during recent weeks. Both her father, Piotr, and brother Patrik were courtside yesterday.

“I think your family will always be there for you no matter what happens,” Wozniacki said.

“I think it’s great to have that base or that support so close to you, so you know that you can always talk, you can always fall back on [them], you can figure out a way to make things better on and off the court.”

McIlroy he issued a short statement about the split last week. They have been together since 2010 and he proposed to her in December 2013.

“There is no right way to end a relationship that has been so important to two people,” McIlroy said. “The problem is mine.”

"The wedding invitations issued at the weekend made me realise that I wasn't ready for all that marriage entails.

“I wish Caroline all the happiness she deserves and thank her for the great times we've had.

"I will not be saying anything more about our relationship in any setting."

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