Last December, in a stunning wedding, Anastasia Potapova and Alexander Shevchenko exchanged vows in a touching story of a childhood friendship turning into a lifetime of love. The couple announced their relationship to the public last year, surprising the tennis world. But how did this sweet relationship come to be?

From having a dream-like proposal to getting married in an intimate and quiet ceremony, fans adore Potapova and Shevchenko’s love story. Given the nature of their profession, even their honeymoon involved tennis! But Potapova recently explained how it took some time for the two to actually talk to each other.

Anastasia Potapova on being married to childhood friend Alexander Shevchenko

Anastasia Potapova and Alexander Shevchenko’s bond traces back to their early childhood when they were only 9 years old. It was not long after they started talking that they realized their endless conversation had led them to become inseparable. Potapova admitted, “I’ve known him since we were nine years old, but we never spent time together, hung out, or even spoke much. It was like we were always so close to each other but also so far away!”

The couple announced their engagement on Instagram in September of last year. Two months later, they tied the knot in December in Russia in a calm and peaceful ceremony. “Maybe we’re young to be married, but we’re also athletes and we’re more mature than other people are at this age, people who don’t do sports,” Potapova further added in the interview.

Also read: Wedding Bells Ring in the Tennis World as WTA Star Anastasia Potapova and Alexander Shevchenko Tie the Knot in an Intimate Ceremony

Speaking about their relationship post-wedding, Potapova highlighted the importance of having a partner who belongs to the same athletic field. “I do think since getting married, there’s more of a calm in our relationship, where we have each other, we’re not rushing for anything, and we just try to help each other perform our best. It’s really helpful for an athlete to find someone who can relate to what you’re doing,” Potapova said in an interview.

The positivity from her personal life has also radiated into her professional field, where she now continues to aim bigger and better for her career.

Potapova’s professional journey after marriage

Anastasia Potapova is also at a transformational point in her professional life, with her remarkable start in 2024. She lost in the opening round of the Australian Open but bounced back to go 5-3 in February and made it to the Round of 16 in Dubai. She then found her groove again when she returned to Indian Wells and forced Jessica Pegula to three sets recently.

Talking about her struggles before the first match, Potapova said in the interview, “I’ve been struggling a bit before the tournament and before my first match. Somehow, I managed to feel better, and now I’m probably in one of the best shapes I’ve ever been in.” As Potapova navigates her personal and professional commitments in life, fans eagerly wait to witness her success on and off the court.

Also watch: Indian Wells 2024: Marta Kostyuk vs Anastasia Potapova Preview; Head-to-Head, and Prediction