The Phone Call That Changed Everything: 5 Shocking Details From The Rory McIlroy And Caroline Wozniacki Split, 11 Years Later

The relationship between Danish tennis star Caroline Wozniacki and Northern Irish golf sensation Rory McIlroy remains one of the most captivating and dramatic power-couple stories in modern sports history. Dubbed 'Wozzilroy' by the media, their three-year romance culminated in a high-profile engagement that was suddenly and controversially called off in May 2014. Even today, in late 2025, the details of their abrupt split—specifically the infamous phone call—continue to be revisited, especially when one of the athletes makes a public comment or appearance, providing a fresh perspective on the decade-old saga.

This article dives deep into the timeline of their whirlwind romance, the shocking way it ended, and the wildly successful, happy lives both World No. 1 athletes have built since. From a charity dinner meet-cute to a broken engagement just days after wedding invitations were sent, the story of Caroline Wozniacki and Rory McIlroy is a powerful testament to finding success and love after a very public heartbreak, with recent comments from Wozniacki proving the past is never entirely forgotten.

The Power Couple Profiles: Caroline Wozniacki and Rory McIlroy Biography

The 'Wozzilroy' phenomenon was built on the foundation of two young, dominant athletes at the peak of their careers. Their combined star power made them a media magnet, with their every move scrutinized by fans of both the WTA Tour and the PGA Tour.

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Caroline Wozniacki (The Tennis Ace)

• Full Name: Caroline Wozniacki R.
• Born: July 11, 1990, in Odense, Denmark.
• Nationality: Danish.
• Career Highlights: Former World No. 1 in singles (holding the position for 71 weeks). Winner of the 2018 Australian Open (her first and only Grand Slam title). Also reached the US Open final twice.
• Current Life: Married to former NBA All-Star David Lee (since June 2019). They share three children: daughter Olivia Lee Wozniacki (born June 2021) and sons James and Max.
• Return to Tennis: After retiring in 2020, she made a successful return to the WTA Tour in 2023.

Rory McIlroy (The Golf Phenom)

• Full Name: Rory Daniel McIlroy.
• Born: May 4, 1989, in Holywood, Northern Ireland.
• Nationality: Northern Irish.
• Career Highlights: Former World No. 1 golfer. A four-time major champion, including the US Open, The Open Championship, and two PGA Championships. He is one of only three players to win four majors by the age of 25.
• Current Life: Married to Erica Stoll (since 2017). They have one daughter, Poppy Kennedy McIlroy (born 2020).
• Current Status: Continues to be one of the most dominant and highest-earning players on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.

1. The Whirlwind Romance and High-Profile Engagement (2011–2014)

The story of 'Wozzilroy' began in the summer of 2011. The pair first met at a boxing match in Germany, but their relationship officially blossomed a few months later at a charity dinner in London. Their romance quickly became the subject of intense media scrutiny, largely due to their status as two of the world's most recognizable athletes.

They were often seen supporting each other at their respective events—McIlroy cheering courtside at the US Open or Wimbledon, and Wozniacki walking the fairways at the Masters or The Open.

The pinnacle of their relationship came on New Year's Eve in 2013, when McIlroy proposed to Wozniacki in Sydney, Australia. The news, confirmed via a social media post showing the engagement ring, solidified their status as a global sports super-couple. The wedding was set to be a lavish affair, with a venue booked and invitations sent out in the spring of 2014.

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2. The Infamous 10-Minute Phone Call That Ended Everything

The fairytale came to an abrupt, shocking, and unceremonious end in May 2014. Just days after the wedding invitations were mailed, Rory McIlroy made the decision to call off the engagement. The method of the breakup is what has cemented its place in sports lore and continues to fuel public interest a decade later.

Wozniacki later revealed that McIlroy had broken up with her over a short phone call. The tennis star was left completely blindsided and heartbroken by the suddenness and impersonal nature of the split, which she described as a "shock."

McIlroy issued a public statement at the time, explaining his decision was based on the realization that he was not ready for the commitment of marriage. "There is no right way to end a relationship that has been so important to two people," he stated, attributing the decision to the fact that the problem was his, not hers. The public nature of the statement, which preceded any personal conversation with Wozniacki, was another layer of pain for the former World No. 1 tennis player.

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3. The Shocking Timing: Post-Invitations and Pre-Major Success

The timing of the split was particularly brutal. Wedding invitations had already been sent out, meaning the logistical and emotional fallout was immediate and public. Wozniacki was forced to address the media and cancel the wedding arrangements, a task she later described as incredibly difficult.

In a twist of fate, the breakup seemed to immediately benefit McIlroy's on-course performance. Following the split, he experienced a career resurgence, winning two major championships in quick succession: the 2014 Open Championship and the 2014 PGA Championship. This period of success was immediately linked by the media to his newly single status, further emphasizing the dramatic nature of the relationship's end.

Wozniacki, meanwhile, struggled initially but eventually found her footing, culminating in her long-awaited Grand Slam title at the 2018 Australian Open, a peak in her career that proved her success was independent of the relationship.

4. Finding New Love: The Successful Second Acts with David Lee and Erica Stoll

Both athletes have since moved on to build incredibly successful personal lives, finding lasting love with partners outside the world of professional tennis and golf.

Caroline Wozniacki and David Lee

Wozniacki began dating former NBA star David Lee in 2017. Their bond grew quickly, leading to their marriage in a beautiful ceremony in Tuscany, Italy, in June 2019. Lee, a former NBA All-Star who played for the New York Knicks and the Golden State Warriors, provided Wozniacki with the stability and privacy she craved. They have since welcomed three children, establishing a beautiful family life that Wozniacki frequently shares with her fans. Her family life was the main reason for her initial retirement, though she later returned to the sport.

Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll

Rory McIlroy met Erica Stoll in 2012, the year before his engagement to Wozniacki. Stoll was working for the PGA of America at the time and famously helped him make his tee time at the 2012 Ryder Cup after he overslept. They began dating after the Wozniacki split, and McIlroy credits her with bringing a calming, non-celebrity presence to his life. They married in a stunning ceremony at Ashford Castle in Ireland in 2017 and welcomed their daughter, Poppy Kennedy, in 2020. McIlroy often praises Stoll for keeping him grounded and separate from the pressures of the golf world.

5. The Subtle Digs and Unforgettable History (The 2025 Context)

While both Wozniacki and McIlroy are happily married and focused on their careers and families, their shared history occasionally resurfaces in the public eye, often through subtle commentary.

In a notable recent instance, Wozniacki was interviewed by ESPN during the Masters Tournament in early 2024. When asked about her picks for the tournament, she conspicuously left McIlroy off her list of favorites, instead favoring other players like Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm. She also made a comment about her husband, David Lee, being "a lot hotter" than the golfers, a remark many interpreted as a subtle, yet unmistakable, dig at her ex-fiancé.

These moments highlight that despite the passage of time, the 'Wozzilroy' narrative remains a compelling piece of sports history. The intensity of their relationship and the dramatic breakup via a phone call—a method that Wozniacki has been openly critical of—ensures that the story of the tennis star and the golfer will continue to capture the curiosity of fans for years to come. Ultimately, the broken engagement served as a major turning point, propelling both athletes toward new personal happiness and continued professional excellence.