Caroline Wozniacki and Rory McIlroy have denied rumours they are engaged to be married despite the Danish born tennis ace arriving in Australia spotted wearing a huge diamond ring on her left hand.
Wozniacki and McIlroy are in Brisbane where Wozniacki is competing for a first time in the Brisbane International in the lead up to next month’s Australian Open and the first Grand Slam event of 2013.
Tennis ace Caroline Wozniacki wearing the ring that sparked new rumours her and Rory McIlroy are engaged.
After checking into her hotel Wozniacki arrived to the Queensland Tennis Centre and still wearing the ring for a warm-up session ahead of her first match.
However she later admitted it was a Christmas present from the Northern Irishman but it wasn’t designed to revive continued speculation the pair, who have just bought a Florida mansion together, were set to tie the knot.
“It’s not an engagement ring,’ said Wozniacki.
“Those rumours once again I’ll have to shut down and say we’re not engaged … not yet anyway.”‘
Possessing a quirky sense of humour which saw her in hot water this month for imitating good friend Serena Williams, the former world No.1 denied she wore McIlroy’s gift on her left ring finger as a prank.
“It’s just a nice ring and I got it for Christmas and I liked it and it fit on that finger so that’s why I wore it,” the 22-year-old said after waking to headlines of Is Caroline engaged to Rory?’.
“I just laugh about (the reaction). It’s just funny to see. If we’re engaged there will be no doubt about it.”
McIlroy and Wozniacki are among the world’s most marketable sporting talents.
The pair were recently featured in Forbes magazine’s 30 under 30 list — a register of 20-somethings who represent the best and the brightest of their generation.
Wozniacki had a frustrating year in the grand slams. She was No.1 in her sport for 67 of 68 weeks from 2010 to 2012.
The Dane enjoyed wins in premier events against Serena Williams, Li Na and Samantha Stosur, but her ranking reached as low as No.11 after losing in straight sets to world No.96 Irina-Camelia Begu at the US Open.
Williams beat her at the Olympics, but she does not fear the American or any of the seven top 10 players lined up in Brisbane.
She is seeded on her first visit to Queensland yet could face Stosur, Maria Sharapova or world No.1 Victoria Azarenka beyond the second round at the Queensland Tennis Centre.
“It’s a new year and all I want to do is my best and we’ll see what happens,” Wozniacki said.
The couple has been dating for a whirlwind 18 months. Some of their relationship highlights include:
July 2, 2012 – McIlroy meets Wozniacki for the first time in Hamburg when Wladimir Klitschko retained his World Heavyweight Championship against David Haye.
Jul. 18, 2011 — McIlroy and Wozniacki are spotted in a London restaurant.
Aug. 2011 — Hours after wrapping up a non-competitive finish in the PGA Championship near Atlanta, McIlroy was in Cincinnati spending time with Wozniacki before she played in the Western & Southern Open.
Jan. 7, 2012 — The couple couldn’t spend their first Christmas together, so they exchanged gifts closer to the new year. McIlroy gave Wozniacki a heart-shaped pendant in the design of the Danish flag. She gave McIlroy a necklace and some T-shirts.
Feb. 2012 — A Valentine’s Day rendezvous in Dubai, holding hands in front of paparazzi during one of McIlory’s golf exhibitions.
Mar. 4, 2012 — Wozniacki encourages McIlroy to leave his seat to play a point against Maria Sharapova during an exhibition match at Madison Square Garden.
Apr. 20, 2012 — Wozniacki releases her video for Oxygen but it has nothing to do with McIlroy but has everything to do with him.
Sep. 27, 2012 — McIlroy presents Wozniacki with a personalised wedge with Wozzilory stamped on it.
Nov. 23, 2012 — Wozniacki purposely interrupts McIlroy’s DP World Tour Championship press conference to ask about her Christmas presents.
Nov. 26, 2012 — A rumour started by Serena Williams practice partner forces Wozniacko to deny she and McIlroy are engaged.
Dec, 2012 — McIlroy travels with Wozniacki to Colorado and Sao Pualo for a series of exhibition matches.
Dec. 26, 2012 — Wozniacki shared a photo of matching “geek” and “nerd” shirts the two exchanged for Christmas.
Dec 27, 2012 – Wozniacki arrived in Brisbane, Australia wearing what looks like an engagement ring but she later denies the rumour.
