Rory McIlroy is savoring his single status after ending his engagement to tennis pro Caroline Wozniacki a few weeks back – and Caro, now competing at Wimbledon, says she’s doing likewise.
McIlroy told Ireland’s Sunday Independent that he’s been part of a couple since he was 16 years old, first with his childhood sweetheart Holly Sweeney – who he also said goodbye to – and then Danish blond Wozniacki, who was admittedly stunned when Rory terminated their love match with a phone call that lasted only minutes.
"I'm finding myself. That's probably how I would describe it. I'm having a lot more time on my own right now; a lot more time to think,” McIlroy said.
“With Holly and Caroline it's sort of the first time in nine years I haven't been in a relationship, that I've actually been on my own. So, I've got a lot more free time which has meant a lot more headspace.
“I'm sort of rediscovering who I am, on my own. It's strange, being in a situation I haven't known for nine years.”
Wozniacki, who not too long ago spoke about retiring from the pro tour and having children with McIlroy, thinks every cloud has a silver lining. The poor girl, 23, hasn’t had much time to mope around as it’s high season on the pro circuit.
“I’m very happy with where I am at the moment,” Caro said at a Wimbledon tune-up event last week, where she reached the semifinals.
“Sometimes life throws you things that you didn’t expect, but you just have to embrace it and move forward.”
The old saying that what doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger seems to apply in the tennis star’s case, as she replied “definitely, yeah” when asked if the turmoil in her personal life has ultimately led to inner strength.
She’s also found solace in the company of the top-ranked pro Serena Williams, who’s happily provided a shoulder to cry on.
“I love Caro. We have a great time together. She was in Miami, so we hooked up and hung out,” Williams said of their public beach outing earlier this month when they happily posed for paparazzi in bikinis.
“I was just trying to be a positive influence in her life.”
McIlroy said he ditched his cell phone after cutting ties with Wozniacki. And from now on, he vows, his social media feeds will contain golf info only. When he and Caro were together the two regularly posted cute pics and updates about their status.
“I don't need every aspect of my life to be online, or out there,” he says.
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