Olympic great Leisel Jones reveals she has ‘given up hope’ on finding love
Nine-time Olympic medallist Leisel Jones admits defeat in her search for love, declaring modern dating “exhausting” after just three first dates this year.
Olympic great Leisel Jones has lamented the state of the dating scene, saying she is “given up hope” of finding a partner.
The nine time Olympic medallist, three of those gold, spoke to Confidential after sharing a candid post in Instagram titled “2025 Dating Wrapped”.
It came as Australians flocked to social media to share their Spotify Wrapped for the year.
“Just for now, it is very exhausting,” Jones told this column.
“If you’re on the apps, it’s so exhausting with the conversations and people messaging and trying to keep up with that and doing all of that work. So for me, yes, because it’s that exhausting texting that I don’t really want to do. So in that sense, yes (I’ve given up).”
Jones, who turned 40 in August, said she had gone on three first dates, one second date and downloaded and deleted dating app Hinge.
It is two years since she separated from her husband of five years, Damon Martin.
“I don’t know about marriage but definitely a long-term relationship,” she said when asked if she would consider marrying again.
“Just the expense of it, probably not. And I’ve got a house, I’ve got a mortgage now, so I’ve got to pay that off. That’s my priority – cost of living.”
Earlier this year, Jones revealed she was battling “high functioning depression” days after stating she “wanted to end it all”.
She has been open about her personal struggles and life.
This post about dating though was more tongue-in-cheek.
“I am not going to lie, being 40 now, dating is a little bit more challenging,” she said, adding that she did not take any of the harsh comments on her social post personally.
“I think they’re funny, I don’t take any of them to heart … they’re quite hilarious. One of them was like, ‘expired’, or that I was a walking red flag or that my standards were too high.
“It is really hard to meet people, and it is just a different landscape now.”
Ultimately, Jones’ ideal partner is someone “really genuine” who “communicates well”.
“And preferably someone who is over their ex is preferred, that’s always a good start.
“Someone who is emotionally available and who is also looking for a relationship, someone who is upfront and honest about what they want. There’s a lot of game playing going on in dating – if you want to just hook up with people, go for it, just be honest.”
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Originally published as Olympic great Leisel Jones reveals she has ‘given up hope’ on finding love
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