Wimbledon star's wife announced divorce after 'impolite' questions from players
Anastasia Potapova opened up on her former relationship with fellow pro Alexander Shevchenko earlier this year after queries from other players forced her into action
Alexander Shevchenko and Anastasia Potapova divorced in 2024
(Image: Getty )
Tennis star Anastasia Potapova has disclosed how persistent enquiries from fellow professionals within the sport prompted her to speak publicly about her separation from Alexander Shevchenko.
Kazakhstani-born player Shevchenko suffered a first-round exit at Wimbledon this year following defeat by American player Reilly Opelka. Potapova pulled out before her opening match of the tournament.
The famed event is now in its second week and British star Cameron Norrie has reason to celebrate after reaching the quarter-finals. Emma Raducanu however endured a tough defeat.
Yet there is no All England Club joy for 24-year-old Potapova and Shevchenko, 24, who married in December 2023. Their relationship was first made public in 2022, but they parted ways after the US Open in September 2024.
The World No. 41 addressed the breakdown at the start of the year, explaining her decision to speak openly about it. "I guess we had problems," she told Bolshe. "Some couples get over these problems, and some don't. Unfortunately, we were one of the couples that didn't."
The Russian reflected on how the separation affected her whilst competing at the highest level, with both parties quickly unfollowing each other on social media before announcing their divorce.
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She also revealed how probing questions, whilst acknowledging them as an inevitable consequence of public life, compelled her to address the situaton.
Alexander Shevchenko and Anastasia Potapova are now divorced
(Image: Getty )
"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."
Discussing her support system, she continued: "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 [Shevchenko]. 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.
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"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. 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."
She concluded: "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. 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."
Potapova had been hoping to turn around her recent form on the tour, having failed to reach the quarter-finals in any of her previous nine tournaments. However, following her early departure from SW19, she will have to wait a bit longer for any such turnaround.
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