Latest news with #WAGs
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Nathan Buckley's ex-girfriend Brodie Ryan makes jaw-dropping claim that 'being a WAG is harder than being a CEO' just three months after their high-profile break up
Nathan Buckley's former partner, Brodie Ryan, has spoken out about life behind the label of a WAG, claiming it can be "harder than being a CEO". The 36-year-old business operations manager dated the 52-year-old AFL legend for three years before they publicly confirmed their split in May. Speaking on the Smile: The Makeover Scoop podcast, Ryan defended the role of a partner in elite sport, arguing that what happens behind the scenes is far more demanding than most people realise. "No one sees each other as a WAG," she said. "You are a wife or a girlfriend, and you are supporting your partner. And what they do is tough for a job." Raised in regional Victoria around Mildura and now based in Melbourne, the spiritual home of AFL, Ryan said professional athletes "need that support at home" and that criticism of WAGs often misses the mark. "I guess a lot of the trolls out there will say they're just a WAG- they're not just a WAG," she said. "They work really hard at home, and they look after a home, which is hard. "Sometimes I would say, seeing my mum do it, seeing my friends do it, being a stay-at-home mum and keeping a home and supporting an AFL footballer would be harder than being a CEO of a company. That is a job within itself." Ryan has held various roles throughout her career, including working as a dental nurse, a professional singer, and a seasonal firefighter who responded to the devastating Black Saturday fires. She currently works as an operations manager at a security company. However, she described how her world was turned upside down during her relationship with Buckley. "My life completely changed. I lost all my autonomy," she said. "Everyone knew everything about my life. I think it's really important to understand that there's a woman or a person behind that label of a WAG." Nearly three months on from the split, Ryan said she is beginning to reconnect with herself and prioritise her own wellbeing. "I'm having so much fun getting up and doing my walks in the morning, going to the gym, eating well. It's not a lot of lasagnes anymore," she said. "I think I lost myself a little bit in what someone else needed in me or what I thought they needed in me because of what they were going through at the time." Ryan first confirmed the breakup in May with a heartfelt message to her Instagram followers, addressing fans of the "Brodes and Bucks" relationship. "Thank you for your kind messages and support over the past couple of months of heartache. I am truly grateful for your kindness and consideration," she wrote. "After much reflection and consideration, Nath and I have decided to part ways." Speaking to The Herald Sun in June, Ryan admitted that while "break-ups are always horrible", she was beginning to find her feet again. "I wanted that responsibility and revelled in that of being a housewife and a little family's support, but unfortunately it didn't end the way I'd hoped," she said. "Time heals all wounds. The heartbreak is real, but we'll both be OK." Buckley separated from his wife Tania, with whom he shares two sons, in 2020 after 18 years of marriage. He later dated cosmetic nurse Alex Pike for a year before that relationship ended in January 2022.
Belfast Telegraph
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
From seeing the sights to hitting Arcadia for matcha, WAGs of golf stars soak up The Open in Portrush
Some have been taking day trips to our top tourist spots; others have been adjusting to a slightly cooler summer climate, layering up to cope with the inclement weather on the North Coast. American actress and model Jena Sims, wife of golfer Brooks Koepka, seems to be enjoying her visit to Portrush, sharing some amusing social media videos. In a post to her 108,000 TikTok fans after the couple arrived, the star gave followers a glimpse of the vista from her bedroom and commented on the 'insane view' before showing the other side, where cows could be seen lying in a field. Resharing a video suggesting that such a sight indicates imminent rain, Jena added the caption 'These cows are going to be my meteorologists for the week' — before the heavens opened. 'This is classic British Open weather,' she commented. The 2025 Sports Illustrated swimsuit model also shared a TikTok of her dancing with fellow WAGs Presleigh Schultz, Alayna Finau and Juju Chan, which was captioned: 'When the younger hot golf WAGS want to do TikToks. She has also shared her haul of official Open merchandise, wearing a Varsity-style jumper , and says Portrush is a special place for her and her husband, stating that Brooks' caddie was born and raised in Northern Ireland, where good friend Graeme McDowell also hails. The weather seems to be a little problematic for Jena, though: one video shows her wearing approximately seven layers of clothing and jokingly asking if that would be enough to watch the golf. Before heading out to watch husband Brooks tee-off on day one of the Open, Jena shared that she had picked out 'super-cute outfits' but wasn't wearing any of them as it was 'colder than she thought'. Meanwhile, Tony Finau's wife, Alayna Finau, has been visiting the local sights, including Dunluce Castle, with friends, adding that pictures and videos don't do the views justice. A trip to Dunseverick Falls was also on the cards before the mum-of-six crossed Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Alayna also revealed that while she wanted to go to bed at 8pm on Wednesday night, the couple instead went to the beach for a swim. Like her friend Jena, Alayna also seems to be cautious of the NI weather, sharing a video of herself putting her hair in braids because 'it probably will rain'. She also has shared fun TikTok videos of herself and fellow WAGs dancing, while another video post shows her doing her make-up as her husband lies in bed beside her. Erica Stoll, meanwhile, is said to be supporting husband Rory McIlroy with daughter Poppy at The Open. The 37-year-old was working for the PGA when she met the Northern Irishman and is said to understand the pressures of his sport. The couple married in 2017 and separated last year. Rory reportedly filed for divorce and then made a surprise U-turn. Unlike the other WAGs, Erica is staying away from social media during the championship, but fans are hoping to catch a glimpse of the family as the tournament draws to an end. Elsewhere, Alison Clarke has been supporting husband Darren Clarke on the golf course. Being from Portrush, she is better prepared for the weather. The former Miss NI and founder of ACA Models posted a video on Instagram showing some of her and Darren's best moments from June as the pair counted down to The Open. Highlights included special memories from Wisconsin, the Bahamas, Akron, Colorado and Alison's birthday. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Julianna 'Juju' R Chan has made a series of videos about attending The Open with boyfriend Sahith Theegala. The couple have been dating since attending university in 2017 where Juju excelled in swimming while Sahith went from strength to strength in golf. The content creator posted a video in which she tried 'UK candy' and visited Portrush's Arcadia for matcha. She also posted a 'get ready with me' video where she chatted about Sahith's journey to The Open and how much she has been enjoying her time in Portrush. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ireland 🇮🇪 Travel | Hotels | Food | Tips 🍀 (@ In another video, Juju visited the Giant's Causeway and made a wish at the famous rock formation. 'The walk down was about a mile but the views were gorgeous and absolutely worth it,' she said. Presleigh Schultz, who is engaged to Akshay Bhatia, has made some TikToks alongside Juju. In one video, Presleigh mines: 'What do you do for living?' Juju mines a reply: 'I shop, drink matcha, go to Pilates and stay beautiful — that's what I do.' Akshay proposed to Presleigh in 2023 after dating for two years. Aside from making golf-related content, Presleigh often caddies for her fiancé. She shared a photo of Akshay teeing off in intense rain with the caption 'Ideal golf weather'. Another WAG caddie is Helen Storey, wife of Lee Westwood. Helen shared a snap of the pair laughing together on the golf course, which was captioned 'All smiles for Team Westwood'. She has also posted Instagram Stories showcasing panoramic views over the greens.
The Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Meet the Wags of The Open 2025… from ‘Hottest Female Athlete' to bodybuilder-turned-doctor & Adam Sandler's co-star
One of the WAGs has been named 'the next great golf influencer' of our time and could make millions from it TEE-MENDOUS Meet the Wags of The Open 2025… from 'Hottest Female Athlete' to bodybuilder-turned-doctor & Adam Sandler's co-star THERE'S a whopping £2.3million prize at stake for the victor of this year's British Open - but you could argue most of the golfers have already won big off the green. Because cheering the talented sportsmen on are a bevvy of bikini-loving beauty queens, superstar sportswomen and brainbox business titans. Advertisement 25 Lilia Schneider says she overcame 'hating my body' with bikini snaps online Credit: Instagram/lilia_schneider 25 Reigning British Open champ Xander Schauffele with wife Maya Credit: Getty 25 Nikki Guidish used to model clothes for a US shopping channel Among them is defending champion Xander Schauffele, who will be eying up his third major championship, spurred on by his wife Maya Lowe. She may well be his lucky charm because the healthcare administrator's support saw him win the PGA Championship and British Open last year. Maya, who married Xander in 2021, admitted she had never watched golf before meeting the US sportsman and has only recently 'gotten the lingo down'. Other big swingers including Brit favourite Rory McIlory, Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm are also backed by their glamorous and intelligent other halves. Advertisement From a Maxim Hot 100 stunner to an ex-bodybuilder who became a doctor and a one-hit-wonder singer, we reveal this year's British Open WAGs. Allison Stokke American Rickie Fowler isn't the only sports star in their California home because he's married to Allison Stokke, a record-breaking pole vaulter who's claimed a number of US titles. At one point she was ranked second in the state and nation, but narrowly missed a spot at the London 2012 Olympics. Allison, 36, put her career on hold after meeting Rickie, who she married in 2019 after two years of dating, to have their daughters, Maya and Nellie. Advertisement Now a sports influencer who has modelled for Nike, GoPro and Athleta, she's still turning heads on the green. Back in 2007 she was described as 'a sex symbol against her will' when a photo of her competing in New York went viral. Masters star's mystery Wag revealed to be huge golf star as she steals show with incredible shot at Par-3 competition 25 A photo of Allison Stokke went viral during her early career Credit: Instagram 25 She's the better half of Rickie Fowler Credit: Instagram / Allison Stokke Fowler Advertisement It followed the snap being posted to a creepy but popular US sports blog under the headline: 'Pole Vaulting is Sexy, Barely Legal.' The furore sparked think pieces in the Washington Post, The New York and Los Angeles Times, and was reported on by the BBC and Australia's Sydney Morning Herald. Allison, later a Maxim Hot 100 star and named Hottest Female Athlete by Men's Health in 2011, said the fetishisation was 'creepy and a little scary', 'really demeaning' and overshadowed her sports career. Lilia Schneider 25 Bryson Dechambeau's stunning girlfriend Lilia Schneider Credit: Instagram/lilia_schneider Advertisement 25 She was named has been dubbed 'the next great Instagram golf influencer' Credit: Getty Described as 'the next great Instagram golf influencer', Lilia Schneider will certainly be turning a few heads if she shows up at The Open. She's the rumoured girlfriend of Bryson DeChambeau, 31, who she's been linked to since the 2022 LIV Golf Invitational Series when they were snapped snuggling up in a golf cart. Michigan-born Lilia, 22, who's just finished her second year at Marian University in Indianapolis, has an impressive social media following. Advertisement She has nearly 60,000 followers on Instagram and 150,000 on TikTok, lured by her golf coaching videos and streams of stunning bikini shots. 'I used to be very insecure and hate my body so I decided to do something about it,' she captioned one scantily-clad snap. I used to be very insecure and hate my body so I decided to do something about it Lilia Schneider It's believed she could be following in the footsteps of Paige Spiranac - a professional golfer who leveraged her large fanbase to get into modelling and launch businesses. Paige, 32, has featured in Sports Illustrated, was named Maxim's 'Sexiest Woman Alive' in 2022, is an ambassador and major shareholder for a betting firm. Advertisement She even launched a site titled OnlyPaige - which features saucy snaps, golf coaching videos, livestreams and vlogs - something not too dissimilar from what Lilia's doing now. Jillian Wisniewski 25 Jillian Wisniewski's husband regularly shares gushing posts about his wife Credit: @justinthomas34 25 She tied the knot with Justin Thomas in his native Bilbao Credit: AFP Justin Thomas's better half Jillian Wisniewski may be his lucky charm on the course - because he claimed she was behind his 2017 PGA Championship victory. Advertisement It was his first win but he was so 'very confident' he would claim his first majors win that he got her to change her flight so she didn't miss his game. Justin, 32, recalled telling his then girlfriend of a year: 'I don't want you to miss this and I feel like I'm going to get it done.' Jillian is a journalism graduate who works for a major advertising firm but is likely on maternity leave, after giving birth to daughter Molly late last year. She's part of a 'great support network' that nursed Justin back to health from a 'pretty bad space mentally' back in 2021. The couple married a year later. Advertisement Justin's clearly proud of his 'great wife' as his Instagram page, which boasts more than two million followers, is littered with snaps of the two of them together. Paulina Gretzky 25 Paulina Gretzky appeared in Grown Ups 2, which starred Adam Sandler Credit: Instagram/paulinagretzky 25 Her dad tagged along to her first 'date' with future hubby Dustin Johnson Credit: Getty Daughter of Canadian ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, Paulina doesn't shy away from the cameras. Advertisement The 36-year-old, who is married to six-time World Golf Championships winner Dustin Johnson, 40, is not only a successful model but a musician and an actress. One year after making her modelling debut in Flare magazine in 2005, she released the song Collecting Dust, which was used for MTV's Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County. She's also famed for her bikini-clad bit-parts in films including the Adam Sandler comedy Grown Ups 2, the 2009 remake of Fame, and Gary Oldman hit Guns, Girls and Gambling. Paulina has forged a successful career and doesn't regret choosing fame over college, despite her father spending a fortune to send her to one of America's best all-female prep schools. Advertisement She admits her first night out with future hubby Dustin in 2013 wasn't overly romantic, adding: 'I don't know if you can call it a date since my dad tagged along.' Within a year they were engaged and eventually tied the knot in 2022. They share two sons Tatum, 10, and River, seven. When asked why their nuptials took nearly a decade, she said: 'This guy has no downtime. The stresses from getting everything ready for a wedding would take over mine and his life and what I needed to be was his teammate.' Gushing about their love story, she added: 'I fell in love with someone so fast and we just had the best thing that's ever happened to us happen so quickly.' Advertisement Erica Stoll 25 Rory McIlroy U-turned on his decision to divorce wife Erica Stoll Credit: Getty Erica Stoll has stood by her man Rory McIlroy through thick and thin - even a moment of madness that led him to file for divorce last year. The Northern Irishman, 36, retracted his decision within a month and recalled the moment as a 'a wake-up call' where he decided: 'Let's just focus on the golf for a little bit.' He's been in a relationship with Erica since 2014 - two years after first locking eyes at the famous 2012 Ryder Cup while she was working as a PGA employee. Advertisement She came to his rescue during that tournament by arranging a police escort for him when he overslept, due to a timezone mix-up, and risked missing tee time. That Ryder Cup became renowned for the 'Miracle at Midinah' and saw McIlroy's team Europe make the comeback of a lifetime, clawing back a victory after being 10-6 down on the final day of play. The couple, who married in 2017, share daughter Poppy, four. During his time away from Erica, 37, last year, Rory said he realised 'our best future was as a family together'. Prior to parenthood, Erica rose up the ranks in the PGA from transport official to office manager and manager of championship volunteer operations. Advertisement Olivia Peet 25 Olivia Peet was born in Manchester and was a high-flying tennis player Credit: Instagram 25 She's been dating Ludvig Aberg since 2023 Credit: Rex Sweden's Ludvig Aberg was tamed by Manchester-born Olivia Peet, who was one of 10 nationally ranked female tennis players in the UK. The brainbox earned a bachelor degree in science from Texas Tech University before getting a masters in Sport and Fitness Administration and Management. Advertisement Olivia, 25, taught tennis at a racquet club near to her university and was recognised as a talented player on her university's varsity sports team. She now works as an associate director of the athletics annual fund at the university and became official with Ludvig, also 25, back in 2023. Meredith Scudder 25 Scottie Scheffler with his wife of five years Meredith Credit: instagram @ 25 She says her husband is 'super humble' and modest Credit: Getty Advertisement The wife of Scottie Scheffler is a talented business woman who co-founded Purpose College Station - a company that supports those affected by childhood cancer. Meredith, 28, is also an ambassador for nutrition organisation Juice Plus and the leading events planner for Eatology, which helps people with eating disorders. The couple met at high school but didn't date until their final year and tied the knot in a Winder Wonderland-themed wedding in Dallas six years later. In 2024 they welcomed their son Bennett. Meredith says she was drawn to Scottie because he had a 'super humble ambience about him' and has remained modest. Advertisement She said: 'He was just a really down-to-earth guy that doesn't take himself too seriously. Even when he had amazing accomplishments, that wasn't the most important thing about him." Katherine Zhu 25 Katherine Zhu massively helped her husband's game Credit: Instagram 25 They married in 2022 alongside dog Koa Credit: Instagram It was the 'gentleman's game' that brought Katherine Zhu and future husband Colin Marikawa, 28, together in 2017 and it remains a massive part of their life. Advertisement She's a former college golf champion and he actually credits her with his success, which began in 2020 when he became the third-youngest PGA Champion since World War 2. US golfer Colin admits: 'I didn't start winning in college until she showed up in my life, so thanks Kat." And it's not just on the green where she excels. Katherine's also a talented tennis player, winning her first amateur tournament aged 13. The social media influencer and entrepreneur tied the knot with Colin in 2022 in a lavish ceremony with their dog Koa. Advertisement When she's not being her husband's caddy, Katherine is busy running half-marathons. Nikki Guidish 25 Nikki Guidish used to compete in bodybuilder competitions 25 She's married to Patrick Cantlay Credit: Instagram/nikki_guidish Stunning Nikki Guidish marries brains with beauty as she once was a model, who notably appeared on America's Home Shopping Network showing off footwear, before studying medicine. Advertisement The 33-year-old, who is married to Patrick Cantlay, became a pharmacist after her modelling days and working as a fitness influencer. She competed in bodybuilding competitions for two years until 2016 and one display on stage led her to land a front cover for South Tampa Magazine, in Florida. Nikki went official with her beau in 2021 when she shared a reel of photos of him at the Memorial Tournament in Ohio, captioning it: 'Nothing short of a memorable weekend.' They tied the knot two years later and share a golden retriever named Marv. Nikki's regularly seen supporting him on the green and kissing him shortly after his victories. Advertisement Jena Sims 25 Jena Sims loves flaunting her toned body in bikinis online Credit: LainSnow/CMG 25 Jena Sims debuts a daring bra-less look in a video with husband Brooks Koepka Credit: Instagram Online Jena Sims describes herself as a 'Krispy Kreme connoisseur' - but you wouldn't know judging by her svelte figure. The wife of Brooks Koepka, whom she wed in 2022, she's competed in the Miss Teen USA beauty pageant back in 2007 and has since become an actress. Advertisement The 36-year-old starred in comedy horror film Attack Of The 50 Foot Cheerleader and Three-Headed Shark Attack, which co-starred former WWE champion Rob Van Dam. Jena also bagged parts in Sharknado 5: Global Swarming and the TV shows Dexter, Entourage and One Tree Hill. On Instagram she boasts 335,000 followers and regularly shares bikini snaps to showcase her collab with Lain Snow. Jena, who appeared in a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit magazine, founded Pageant Of Hope, which helps disabled children, and has invested in skincare and make-up ranges. Advertisement Kelley Cahill 25 Jon Rahm met future wife Kelley Cahill at college Credit: Getty Spanish 2023 Masters winner Jon Rahm is married to his college sweetheart Kelley Cahill, whom he met while studying golf on a scholarship in the US. She's a full-time mum to their two sons and daughter and is regularly seen cheering her husband, whom she wed in 2019 in his hometown Bilbao. Kelley, 31, is a former javelin thrower, who represented Arizona State University and she remains sporty, often joining her husband for workouts. Advertisement However, tennis is one sport they will no longer play together. She recalled: 'He's killing forehands... cross court zingers, and I'm thinking, 'This can't be right.' "He was so good. I was so upset. I was actually mad for a day or two. We have not stepped foot on a tennis court since." Katherine Gaal 25 Matt Fitzpatrick's wife Katherine Gaal is a marketing expert Credit: Instagram Former Miss Jersey runner up Katherine Gaal stole the heart of Sheffield-born Matt Fitzpatrick and married him in 2023. Advertisement When she's not his caddy, she's a marketing professional who is currently the regional marketing manager at a data protection and software development firm. They first appeared as a couple at the February 2023 premiere for the Netflix golf docuseries Full Swing. By September they were engaged and tied the knot a year later. New Jersey-born Katherine, 33, met Matt shortly after he won the US Open in 2022. Wendy Lowry 25 Nurse Wendy is Shane's 'no.1 fan' Credit: Instagram/@wendyirislowry Advertisement Like many couples, Wendy Honner met her future hubby, the PGA Tour winner Shane Lowry, boozing on a "random night out". Four years after they set eyes on each other in 2012 they were married and Wendy has been a beacon of strength for her partner throughout. Shane described the Irish nurse, who works at Dublin's Temple Street Children's Hospital, as his "No1 fan" and says he owes her "a lot" for her support. 'There were plenty of times I have been crying myself to sleep or wondering am I able to keep going," he gushed in 2019. Advertisement "But when you have a good strong woman behind you it makes it easier." Wendy says their two children have massively changed Shane for the better, explaining that if he has a bad day on the course, "the girls don't care" and "they just want Dad home".
Wales Online
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Cameron Norrie's girlfriend admitted 'difficulty' with WAGs and brutal start to relationship
Cameron Norrie's girlfriend admitted 'difficulty' with WAGs and brutal start to relationship Cameron Norrie's girlfriend has admitted it took her a while to warm to the Wimbledon star, who faces Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals, before a trip to watch him in action Cameron Norrie and Louise Jacobi have been loved up for six years (Image:) Cameron Norrie's girlfriend candidly confessed that she wasn't initially attracted to him before discussing her "difficult" relationship with other WAGs. The hopes of the British public in the Wimbledon singles are now pinned on Norrie, 29, who triumphed over Nicholas Jarry in the fourth round. The world No. 61 is set to face two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz in an eagerly anticipated match on Centre Court on Tuesday. Norrie is aiming to make it to the semi-finals at SW19 for a second time, having previously taken a set off seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in a last-four defeat in 2022. Despite being the favourite, Alcaraz did show signs of vulnerability during the opening week, losing four sets across his four matches. Cheering Norrie on from the players' box will be his partner, Louise Jacobi, a 35-year-old American fashion designer and entrepreneur. The couple have been together since 2019 after being introduced by mutual friends. Jacobi has previously admitted that their relationship took some time to blossom, confessing she "just wasn't interested" in him initially. She also expressed concerns about dating someone who is constantly travelling. However, Jacobi was eventually swayed by Norrie's persistence and his impressive efforts to maintain contact. Their romance ignited when she travelled to Vienna to see him play, marking the beginning of their journey together. Article continues below Jacobi eventually fell for Wimbledon star Norrie (Image: Getty ) "I guess this guy doesn't live a normal life, and it's not like I can meet [him] down the street and go to dinner together," said Jacobi, who lost her job in 2019 when her employer went bankrupt. "So I went on this trip and was only supposed to be in Vienna for five days, and things just went really well. I had a wonderful time with him. "In some weird way, I was like, 'Thank God I got laid off when I did,' because we were able to build the foundation of our relationship before Covid hit." Jacobi has become acquainted with the partners of Norrie's competitors over time, forming solid friendships with several. But she acknowledges the awkwardness when their significant others face each other on the tennis court. Jacobi will be cheering her boyfriend on against Carlos Alcaraz (Image: Getty ) Reflecting on the match where Norrie triumphed over David Goffin, whose wife is Stephanie Tuccitto, at Wimbledon in 2022, Jacobi said: "It's difficult because these girls are so nice, and then our boyfriends have to play against each other. "But for the most part, everyone has been really nice, really supportive - good camaraderie. Stephanie even retweeted 'congratulations'." Meanwhile, Norrie is up for the challenge of facing back-to-back Wimbledon king Alcaraz. The Johannesburg-born left-hander said: "I've played a lot of tough matches already. Now it only gets tougher. There's still lots of matches to be played and lots of matches to be won. Article continues below "I'm going to play point-for-point as always, and I'm really happy with how I pulled up after the [Jarry] match. My body feels good, and I'm in a good place. I've been hitting the ball well. I'm happy to be sure, but [still] a long way away."
Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Cameron Norrie's girlfriend on WAG issue after being won over by Wimbledon star
Cameron Norrie's girlfriend has opened up on her relationship with the Wimbledon star, who faces Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals, admitting she was not initially interested in him Cameron Norrie's girlfriend, Louise Jacobi, candidly confessed that she wasn't initially smitten with the tennis star before revealing her "difficult" relationship with other WAGs. The hopes of Britain in the Wimbledon singles now solely rest on Norrie, 29, who triumphed over Nicholas Jarry in the fourth round. The world No.61 is set to face off against reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz in a tantalising match on Centre Court on Tuesday. Norrie is aiming for his second semi-final appearance at SW19 after previously taking a set from seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in a semi-final defeat in 2022. Despite being the underdog, Alcaraz showed signs of vulnerability during the opening week, losing four sets across his four matches. Cheering on Norrie from the players' box will be his partner, Louise Jacobi, 35, an American fashion designer and entrepreneur. The couple have been together since 2019 after being introduced by mutual friends. Jacobi once admitted that their romance took time to blossom, confessing she "just wasn't interested" in him initially. She also expressed concerns about dating someone who is constantly travelling. However, Jacobi was eventually swayed by Norrie's persistence and for doing "an amazing job of keeping in touch." Jacobi, whose relationship with Norrie ignited in Vienna where she watched him play, recalled: "I guess this guy doesn't live a normal life, and it's not like I can meet [him] down the street and go to dinner together. "So I went on this trip and was only supposed to be in Vienna for five days, and things just went really well. I had a wonderful time with him." She reflected on how losing her job played an unexpected role in their relationship, saying: "In some weird way, I was like, 'Thank God I got laid off when I did,' because we were able to build the foundation of our relationship before Covid hit.'" While Jacobi has made friends with the partners of Norrie's rivals, she finds it uncomfortable when their significant others compete. Speaking after Norrie beat David Goffin, who is married to Stephanie Tuccitto, at Wimbledon in 2022, Jacobi said: "It's difficult because these girls are so nice, and then our boyfriends have to play against each other. "But for the most part, everyone has been really nice, really supportive - good camaraderie. Stephanie even retweeted congratulations.'" Meanwhile, Norrie is up for the challenge of facing back-to-back Wimbledon champion Alcaraz. The Johannesburg-born left-hander said: 'I think it only gets tougher from now. 'I've played a lot of tough matches already. Now it only gets tougher. There's still lots of matches to be played and lots of matches to be won. 'I'm going to play point-for-point as always, and I'm really happy with how I pulled up after the [Jarry] match. My body feels good, and I'm in a good place. I've been hitting the ball well. I'm happy to be sure, but [still] a long way away.'
