While neither Alex Rodriguez nor Kate Hudson has commented on reports of their separation, a friend of the baseball player has told Us Weekly the pair broke up "over a week ago," citing the actress` irritating behavior as the reason that prompted their separation. The friend blames Kate`s hunger for camera attention as the main factor that ruined her relationship with the 34-year-old athlete.

"[Hudson] wanted more camera time each and every game. She would always want to be styled before games and she`d insist on front-row seats," says the friend of Kate`s frequent presence on Alex`s matches. "It was a turnoff to have a girlfriend who always wanted to be on camera. Alex wanted someone who was more interested in building a long-term relationship than just building their profile."

"Alex wanted to end this relationship well over a month ago," the friend reveals further, adding that he didn`t break her up right away because he didn`t want to disrupt her premieres and promotional events for her new film "Nine". "He felt that would be counterproductive and unfair to her," claims the friend.

And Kate`s jealousy only made things worse as she tracked and followed Alex`s every move during his busy pre- and post-season schedule. Besides, she also forced him to make their union official as soon as possible. "He`s just coming off of a 13-year relationship with his ex-wife and a recent divorce," the friend points out. "He has two lovely children with his ex-wife, and that requires a certain amount of responsibility. She gave him ultimatums that a newly divorced father can`t meet."

However, Alex and Kate ended their romance "amicably and maturely," the friend tells Us Weekly, adding "They`re two mature adults. She did take the relationship seriously, and he has a lot of respect for her. They had some really wonderful times together."
sections: Celebrities