Road to Recovery: Former Lovers Rory McIlroy, Caroline Wozniacki Win 2014 British Open, Istanbul Cup Post Break-Up
In sports, it’s not how many times you fall, but how many times you rise. The same thing can be said in love and relationships as shown by recent performances by former partners Rory McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki, who won the 2014 British Open and 2014 Istanbul Cup, respectively on Sunday.
McIlroy, who entered the final round of the The Open Championships with a six-shot lead, won by two strokes (271, -17) and impressively held on despite tough challenges from runners-up Sergio Garcia (273, -15) and Rickie Fowler (273, -15). He grabbed his first golf major title in the United Kingdom and the third overall in his career. The Irish won the PGA Championship in 2012 and the US Open in 2011.
Meanwhile, Wozniacki finally had her most dominant performance in any tournament in 2014 highlighted by her one-sided 6-1, 6-1 victory in the Istanbul Cup final over Italian Roberta Vinci.
The pair had one of the more popular sports celebrity break-ups earlier this year. Reportedly, McIlroy split with Wozniacki via a phone call only although both admitted that the separation was amicable and friendly.
"I'm happy to have won my 22nd WTA title - it's a great feeling! I'm happy how the final went today. I served well and pushed her around the court, and I really dictated the match,” declared the 24-year-old Wozniacki in the official website of the women’s tour. "I've had a good week and am feeling good on hardcourts, which is great moving forward."
The statement could very well mean moving on from his relationship with McIlroy as she bagged her first title of the season at Istanbul—and the first successful stint post break-up. After the celebrated split, Wozniacki fell in the first round of the 2014 French Open and then couldn't go all the way in Eastbourne and 2014 Wimbledon Championships.
Meanwhile, this is McIlory’s second victory in the PGA season and his first majors breakthrough in 2014.
“It feels absolutely incredible. Just to be sitting here and looking at the Claret Jug and having my name on it, it’s a great feeling,” stated the 25-year-old Irishman after winning The Open via the tournament’s official website.
For McIlroy and Wozniacki, who have both shown the potential to be the top athletes in their respective sports, winning championships will cure all, even heartbreaks.