Last summer, Caroline Wozniacki lobbed in Australia as the world No.1. This summer, the dethroned tennis queen arrived with one instead.
Wozniacki landed in Brisbane bright and early Friday morning with golfer boyfriend Rory McIlroy happily in tow.
The pair have replaced Adam Scott and Ana Ivanovic as world sport’s first couple and the Danish tennis star will be hoping McIlroy’s influence rubs off at next month’s Australian Open.
Despite reigning at No.1 on the WTA rankings throughout 2011, Wozniacki has yet to break through for a gram slam title.
Similarly, McIlroy was golf’s ‘next big thing’ for two years before he delivered with his maiden major at the 2011 US Open.
He followed up with the US PGA this year to confirm his standing as the top player in the game – and admitted that Wozniacki pushed him to greater heights.
Similarly, the 22-year-old starlet – who surged back into the top 10 with a bright end to an otherwise disappointing 2012 – has spoken of McIlroy’s never-say-die attitude on course being an inspiration.
However, Wozniacki won’t be receiving any coaching tips while the Northern Irishman accompanies her for a week at the Brisbane International before he flies to Dubai for the year-opening Abu Dhabi Championship.
“He leaves me alone to just let me do my thing,” she said at Brisbane Airport.
According to McIlroy, Wozniacki’s rankings slide and grand slam failure has nothing to do with her work ethic.
“Seeing how hard she works and how hard she practises and how dedicated she is, it definitely flipped a switch with me that I could be a little more like that,” the 23-year-old told London’s Telegraph this month. “She’s definitely been a great influence on me.”
The world No.10 won’t be shirking the hard work in Australia either as she’s one of eight top-10 players in the main draw – where Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka and Samantha Stosur share top billing – before backing up at the Sydney International.
“It is tough but that’s how I want to start the year,” she said. “I’ve never been to Brisbane so I want to start off well and this field gives the perfect preparation.
“Obviously I want to go far here and, to do that, I have to play against the best.”
