Anastasia Potapova is turning a new leaf this season, and it’s not just on the court. The 23-year-old WTA star is making strides at the Linz Open after tough defeats in Brisbane and the Australian Open. Last year, she claimed the Linz Open victory but hasn’t won a title since. This year, she’s reached the quarter-finals and is set to face Karolina Muchova. But it looks like she’s finally finding her rhythm after a challenging season of losses – on and off the court.

Potapova married ATP pro Alexander Shevchenko in December 2023 after dating for a year. Their relationship seemed picture-perfect, with Potapova often cheering him on at tournaments. They both excelled professionally, with Potapova breaking into the Top 20 and Shevchenko entering the Top 50. But by September 2024, rumors of trouble surfaced when they unfollowed each other on social media and deleted their pictures together. The confirmation came in November when Potapova shared on Telegram, “Hello everyone. This time I have not very positive news. Unfortunately, Alexander and I have decided to separate. That’s life. People come together and separate. We would like to keep the reasons for the divorce to ourselves. I kindly ask you not to ask us unnecessary questions on this topic and respect our decision.”

Now, as the 2025 season unfolds, Anastasia Potapova has opened up about her split with Shevchenko during an interview with Bolshe. “I made some shockingly big decisions at the end of the year,” she said from her training base in Dubai. Despite the heartache, she’s embracing this new chapter with grace, acknowledging that sometimes love just doesn’t go according to plan. “But like I mentioned, that’s life. Unfortunately, things like that happen and you have to accept it. Of course, I’m very disappointed it all went the way it did,” she added.

Though they are no longer together, Potapova wishes Shevchenko well in his career. “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 stated. They’ve known each other since the were nine years old, but balancing professional tennis and personal life proved challenging. “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.”

Having once opened up about the impact he had on her life through “his insights and knowledge about the sport,” their time together had a massive impact on her. Back then, Potapova even admitted to not knowing how they would handle the stress of the tour and their relationship after marriage.

Anastasia Potapova opened up work-life balance amidst the hectic tennis tour

Anastasia Potapova’s journey in the limelight hasn’t just been about tennis; her personal life has also taken center stage. She spoke fondly of her relationship with now-ex Alexander Shevchenko, in an interview after their marriage. “It’s really helpful to have someone who can support you, not just on your team but someone you’re close to,” she said, emphasizing how his understanding of the sport made their bond even stronger. However, things didn’t unfold as she had hoped. After their split, Potapova is now focused on reclaiming her title at the 2025 Linz Open.

With determination, she powered through a nail-biting quarterfinal against Rebecca Sramkova, winning 7-6(1), 6-4, and boasting of an impressive 9-1 record at this event. Potapova recently opened up about the relentless pace of professional tennis, echoing thoughts from fellow players like Iga Swiatek. Speaking to Sport.ru on January 30, she stated, “We play way too much, even if you compare it to other sports. We play non-stop, week after week. If you stay at home five days in two months, it’s really good.” The pressure is immense; top players compete in nearly 21 tournaments annually, including four Grand Slams.

As she put it, “There is not much time to rest, but it would be a sin to complain about such a life.” This sentiment resonates with many athletes who face the fatigue of travel and tight schedules. Players like Elena Rybakina and Carlos Alcaraz have also voiced their struggles with the demanding calendar. While this issue is yet to be addressed and sought, Anastasia is preparing for her quarterfinal match against Muchova. Can break her long winless streak with this event and rise among the elite once again despite being in a tough place right now? Time will tell.