For Caroline Wozniacki, Losing Was a Gift Instead

Written by: Staff on 19th December 2011

For Caroline Wozniacki, Losing Was a Gift Instead

Danish Caroline Wozniacki (WTA 1) pictured during a singles exhibition tennis game between Kim Clijsters and Caroline Wozniacki during the Diamond Games 2011 tennis event, in the Antwerp Sportpaleis, Belgium, 08 December 2011. EPA/DIRK WAEM Belgium Out |

Sometimes, losing a big match can actually have a positive effect.

Caroline Wozniacki was devastated when she was upset in the fourth round at Wimbledon by Dominika Cibulkova, so prolonging the criticism from many that she was undeserving of the number ranking if she didn’t hold a major.

But if she hadn’t have lost that match it is likely that she would have still been at Wimbledon a few days later, instead of at the Imtech Arena in Hamburg for the boxing heavyweight bout between David Haye and Wladimir Klitschko. And it was there that she met recent US Open golf champion Rory McIlroy to begin the most high profile sporting romance of the year.

It’s been good for her, and for him, even though their schedules make it impossible to meet up as much as they would like.

“I don’t want to sound soppy here, but the best thing that’s happened to me off the course this year is meeting Caroline,” McIlroy told the Irish Times. “We understand we’re not going to see each other every week of the year.”

There’s obviously a lot more to golf than just strolling around the course and hitting a few balls, and golfers have to train and practice as any sportsperson would. But McIlroy says he is very impressed with how much work his girlfriend has to put in.

“A tennis career is a lot shorter than a golf one and they have to put everything into it for the eight or 10 years they’re playing,” he said. “She definitely works harder than I do – and most of the girls on the tennis tour.

“If anything it’s been a great influence on me to see how hard she works and how she dedicates herself to her game. It’s also nice to be with someone who has the same ambition and drive.”

Topics: Caroline Wozniacki, Rory McIlroy