Long-distance relationships are tough, but Olivia Dunne and Paul Skenes are crushing it. Even with crazy schedules, they always find time for each other. Olivia, who’s in her fifth year as a Division I gymnast, and Paul, a former LSU star and now a pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, started dating during Paul’s last year at LSU.

Since Paul got picked in the 2023 MLB Draft, they’ve been making it work from a distance, supporting each other every step of the way. Olivia, 22, is definitely looking forward to the day they can live in the same city and she can fully lean into the whole WAG lifestyle. But for now? It’s all about balancing the dream with reality. And honestly, it’s not just the long distance—they’ve got a few other little challenges to figure out too!

Are Olivia Dunne and Paul Skenes’ relationship struggles more than they’re letting on?

Olivia Dunne recently hopped on the Betches podcast, and of course, her relationship with MLB star Paul Skenes came up. When asked how many of Paul’s games she’s been to, she gave the most supportive (and relatable) girlfriend answer ever: “I try to go to every game in Pittsburgh if I’m not at school.” Between being a Division I gymnast and cheering on her man, she’s clearly got a lot on her plate. But she’s making it work—and she even got to celebrate a huge milestone recently when Paul was named MLB Rookie of the Year after an epic first season with the Pirates!

Their journey together is seriously impressive. Paul was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, and people had their doubts about him handling the pressure. But he shut it all down during his debut against the Cubs and just kept getting better. But hey, they’re not perfect, and that’s what makes them so real.

When the host further asked if they ever worked out together, Olivia cracked up and said,“We tried to work out together once, but our workout style is quite different. He has his earbuds in; he just grinds and doesn’t talk, but I like talking too much!” It’s a fun little insight into their dynamic, but it also makes you wonder—if their workout styles are so different, does their approach to long-distance relationships follow the same pattern?

The surprising tension behind this power couple’s big moment

Paul Skenes, as anyone might imagine, has had every reason to relax and take it easy this off-season. After coming from a fantastic rookie season that made him win the MLB Rookie of the Year, it is likely thought he would be somewhere dreaming on vacation. However, for Paul, the act of relaxing means something different—might be Olivia, right? But no!

When Skenes was interviewed, he noted that his off-season has not been anything like a holiday. “I took three weeks off at the beginning of the offseason. Took a mini vacation to Florida for a few days. It’s just tough because my girlfriend [LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne] is in school, and I’m trying to spend as much time with her as possible,” he admitted. While he is still struggling with long distance, he still makes time to meet Dunne!

A long getaway, like “a two-week trip to Italy or something like that? That’s not happening this offseason,” he added with a laugh. “People say, ‘Hey, do you want to do something?’ And I’m like, ‘We can do something, but we’ve got about 12 hours because I need to get back and lift in the morning.’ The biggest thing is getting my training in.” While Paul remains laser-focused on baseball, Olivia has been his constant cheerleader. Fans love seeing their lighthearted moments together, full of laughter and shared jokes.

However, a recent MLB TikTok found another mood during Paul’s Rookie of the Year announcement. Whereas Olivia could simply beam and light up the room with her excitement, Paul, on the other hand, couldn’t portray his boredom in more ways. His gestures were rather limited; he sat and looked almost impassive as though the situation did not bother him in any way. And then came the part that left fans buzzing: at some point, when lovers were about to share a kiss, Olivia rejected him slightly, which made the celebration more uncomfortable.

So, what gives? Was Paul simply keeping his cool under the spotlight, not wanting to let the cameras see too much? or maybe he’s just not as used to the constant attention as Olivia. Whatever the reason, the moment has sparked plenty of curiosity about what’s really going on behind the scenes with this high-profile couple.