Amy Pejkovic is heartbroken, but she is dealing with her breakup in a ‘mature’ way.
The model has parted ways with Essendon footballer David Zaharakis, 34, after the pair realized they were not cut out as lovers.
They had been dating for four years and reportedly made the decision to split.
“We decided we would be better as friends,” the 31-year-old told the BBC Herald Sun on Sunday.
‘I’m proud of how we handled it. We weren’t as compatible as we thought,” she continued.
“I loved with all my heart and I admire him so much and still love him. He is also very curious about what I will do next year. That’s life.’
Amy Pejkovic is dealing with her split the ‘adult’ way. The model has parted ways with Essendon footballer David Zaharakis, 34, after the pair realized they were not suited. Both shown
Amy says she is now focusing on her career and may move to Europe to pursue modeling and ambassadorial work.
She has appearances with the Australian Open and the Australian Grand Prix on her busy schedule.
Zaharakis has also made changes in his life and career.
The former Essendon midfielder has done so well in his transformation into an Ironman competitor that he will take on the ‘elite of the elite’ in the sport’s world championship this month.
Zaharakis played 226 games in 13 AFL seasons for the Bombers before retiring in 2021.
He was a fan favorite, decked out in red and black, and in 2013 he won the Anzac Day Medal after an impressive performance against Collingwood and after being crowned the club’s best and fairest player in 2011.
The athlete has found a new sporting passion over the past year, taking part in Ironman events in five Australian states and Colorado in the US.
He told Trizone that his transition to endurance racing by pursuing Sherrins evolved naturally.
They had been dating for four years and made the decision to part ways
“We decided we would be better as friends,” the 31-year-old said. ‘I’m proud of how we handled it. We weren’t as compatible as we thought’
“To be honest, after leaving AFL I realized my passion for football was waning,” he said.
“During my AFL career I always enjoyed swimming and cycling and I think it was a natural progression. The idea came to me during a family holiday and I just went for it.’
“I still feel very green in the sport, I learn new things every day, with each of the three disciplines,” Zaharakis added.
‘You have now been working for twelve months and you realize that there is still so much to learn and so much to improve.
‘I love the sport and I love the fact that I have found a new passion, it is still years in the making to become the level I want to reach.
“I’m willing to work every day to get there.
‘A world championship is the elite of the elite, as an athlete you want to be with those people, the best… hopefully I perform well there and prove that I belong there.’
Zaharakis also appeared on Australian Survivor in 2022 as part of the Heroes vs Villain aspect of the show.
The former reality star sold his Lower Plenty home in Melbourne last year.
He put the four-bedroom party house on the market with an asking range of $3.8-4.1 million.
The split-level property has hosted celebrity gatherings for up to 170 people, including grand finale celebrations and birthday parties.
Pejkovic previously dated Greater Western Sydney Giants AFL player Adam Tomlinson, with the pair splitting in 2018 after two years of dating.
“I loved with all my heart and I admire him so much and still love him. He is also very curious about what I will do next year. That’s life,” she continued