Russian tennis star Anastasia Potapova has revealed she and fellow tennis participant Alexander Shevchenko divorced late final yr.
Potapova, 23, and Shevchencko, 24, married in December 2023 after going public with their relationship in 2022. They break up after the 2024 US Open.
Potapova, ranked thirty third on the earth, opened up in regards to the break up in an in depth interview with Bolshe.
“I actually want ‘Sasha’ — I can say it on digicam, I’m not ashamed of those phrases — I actually want him all the very best, and he deserves all the very best,” she mentioned. “I want him all the very best together with his profession, as properly, as a result of he’s very proficient and he has to maintain working and creating as a participant.
“However I assume we had issues. Some {couples} recover from these issues, and a few don’t. Sadly, we have been one of many {couples} that didn’t.”
Potapova and Shevchenko eliminated one another from their social media pages earlier than later confirming their divorce to the general public.
The Russian mentioned it was tough persevering with to play in tournaments whereas being requested about her relationship standing.
“My group, my shut ones, even me, we have been all shocked by how mentally robust I may very well be,” Potapova mentioned.
“Each different particular person got here to me and requested, ‘So what, you two broke up?’ On tour, outdoors the tour. In fact, it’s probably not well mannered, however it’s life and individuals are curious. It’s like a TV present for them.
“I believe I wanted to place an finish to it, to finish issues formally, so I wouldn’t get these questions anymore. I believe that was the final step I wanted to lastly set myself free. I’ve unbelievable dad and mom, who perceive me the way in which I’m,” she mentioned.
“They by no means decide me, by no means decide my decisions: ‘Wedding ceremony? OK, we’ll have a marriage. Divorce? Unhappy, painful, however how we provide help to?’ Mum had an incredible relationship with Sasha; I hope she nonetheless does. She really supported each me and Sasha, labored two jobs, so to talk, and I’m grateful to her for it.
“Regardless of all the pieces, I clung onto the final bits of my sanity, walked out on the courtroom and performed matches, and I wasn’t even doing that unhealthy.
“In fact, this yr wasn’t as profitable because the earlier one. However contemplating the circumstances, this season gave me way more than any earlier season of my life.”
Potapova is at present having fun with a robust run on the Linz Open in Austria, the place she gained her first two matches and can tackle prime seed Karolina Muchova within the quarterfinal.
The 24-year-old made the second spherical of the Australian Open and was knocked out by Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Shevchenko, the World No. 75 from Kazakstan, misplaced in straight units to Carlos Alcaraz within the first spherical in Melbourne.
He represented Kazakstan alongside former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina on the United Cup.