Speculation About Romance Problems Involving Wozniacki and McIlroy

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 5th March 2013

Speculation About Romance Problems Involving Wozniacki and McIlroy

epa03595793 Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark returns the ball to Czech Republic's Petra Kvitova during their semi final match of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 22 February 2013. EPA/ALI HAIDER |

Things might not be quite right in the sporting romance between Caroline Wozniacki and golfer Rory McIlroy, with both young athletes slumping to poor performances in recent days as speculation about their relationship begins to pick up pace.

Wozniacki followed up last week’s first-round shocker of a loss to No. 172 Wang Qiang of China in Kuala Lumpur by losing a less important Hong Kong exhibition to Agnieszka Radwanska. Conspiracy theorists are now looking at McIlroy’s mid-round pullout at the start of his title defense of the Honda Classic in Florida and putting two and two together.

McIlroy at first would not explain, saying only he was in a “bad place” in his life, and later changed the story to a complaint about tooth pain – and that only minutes after he was photographed eating a sandwich on the course. But few appear to be buying that weak explanation, with Irish media speculating that a rocky romance may be to blame. “There’s not much I can say, guys. I’m just not in a good place, mentally” lamented McIlroy, at times close to tears.

Wozniacki and her man have been silent on Twitter in recent days, a definite change in behavior. The former No. 1 Wozniacki, now clinging onto a top 10 spot, was questioned in Kuala Lumpur about any marriage plans between herself and her fellow multimillionaire beau: “I think that question will be for him to answer.”

While Wozniacki has struggled with her game. McIlroy has been trying to adjust to new Nike clubs, a contact which is worth a healthy $250 million.