‘Disappointed’: Pro tennis couple come clean on ‘shocking’ secret divorce
A star tennis couple have opened up about their secret divorce in a “shockingly big decision” that took fans and players by surprise.
Tennis
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Russian tennis star Anastasia Potapova has revealed she and fellow tennis player Alexander Shevchenko divorced late last year.
Potapova, 23, and Shevchencko, 24, married in December 2023 after going public with their relationship in 2022. They split after the 2024 US Open.
Potapova, ranked 33rd in the world, opened up about the split in an extensive interview with Bolshe.
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“I really wish ‘Sasha’ — I can say it on camera, I’m not ashamed of these words—I really wish him all the best, and he deserves all the best,” she said.
“I wish him all the best with his career, as well, because he’s very talented and he has to keep working and developing as a player.
“But I guess we had problems. Some couples get over these problems, and some don’t. Unfortunately, we were one of the couples that didn’t.”
Potapova and Shevchenko removed each other from their social media pages before later confirming their divorce to the public.
The Russian said it was difficult continuing to contest tournaments while being asked about her relationship status.
“My team, my close ones, even me, we were all shocked by how mentally strong I could be,” Potapova said.
“Every other person came to me and asked, ‘So what, you two broke up?’ On tour, outside the tour. Of course, it’s not really polite, but it’s life and people are curious. It’s like a TV show for them.
“I think I needed to put an end to it, to end things officially, so I wouldn’t get those questions anymore. I think that was the last step I needed to finally set myself free.”
“I have incredible parents, who understand me the way I am,” she said.
“They never judge me, never judge my choices: ‘Wedding? OK, we’ll have a wedding. Divorce? Sad, painful, but how we help you?’
“Mum had a great relationship with Sasha; I hope she still does. She actually supported both me and Sasha, worked two jobs, so to speak, and I’m grateful to her for it.
“Despite everything, I clung onto the last bits of my sanity, walked out on the court and played matches, and I wasn’t even doing that bad,” Potapova added.
“Of course, this year wasn’t as successful as the previous one. But considering the circumstances, this season game me much more than any previous season of my life.”
In response to the news, one person wrote on social media: “Oh! I didn’t even know they were together, let alone married.”
A second said: “Damn that was quick.”
Another said: “I didn’t even know they got divorced.”
Potapova is currently enjoying a strong run at the Linz Open in Austria, where she won her first two matches and will take on top seed Karolina Muchova in the quarter-final.
The 24-year-old made the second round of the Australian Open and was knocked out by Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Shevchenko, the World No. 75 from Kazakstan, lost in straight sets to Carlos Alcaraz in the first round in Melbourne.
He represented Kazakstan alongside former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina at the United Cup.
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