The tennis planet has been witnessing the entry of new couples and parents. Matteo Berrettini made the headlines in January this season with Melissa Satta. Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa have been making news since Wimbledon. While the couples are busy dating, Anastasia Potapova and Alexander Shevchenko took their love story to the next stage.
The Russian couple is 22 years old and got engaged a few days back. Potapova is currently ranked No.27 on the WTA tour. At the same time, Shevchenko is ranked No.85 on the ATP tour. He is seven months older than Potapova, as both players are rising youngsters on tour.
Childhood connection between Potapova and Shevchenko
Both players have known each other since they were nine years old. They also traveled together during their early teen years. They have been good friends on tour ever since. Both players did not initiate the relationship, as it just happened at the start of the 2022 season in Australia. They always make sure to support each other and be there during the matches.
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The couple mutually agreed to keep the relationship private. They had no plans of immediately disclosing the information to the public. Their relationship came to light this year, and the couple also decided that it was time to move to the next phase of the relationship. Both players know each other so well as they have been growing up together.
Managing time between tours and being there for each other
Potapova said that it was tough to manage each other’s schedule on tour. She said that Shevchenko had surprised her many times on tour with his visits. Shevchenko also arrived with soup one day to take care of his better half. He flew immediately after his match to look after her. Potapova also mentioned that his kindness is one of the reasons she fell in love with him.
They keep their timetable managed and see each other every day. Potapova said, “I am for adequacy and conversation. These are my principles. We have common themes, understanding, we sacrifice everything equally,” via Championat. Shevchenko also used to sit in the regular stands as the audience at the start of their relationships so as to not raise any suspicion.
Congratulations to World No. 26 Anastasia Potapova and World No. 86 Alexander Shevchenko on getting engaged! 🍾💍 pic.twitter.com/JPL9pcTF6e
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) September 24, 2023
Potapova and Shevchenko had been planning to get engaged for quite a few months. They grew closer this year. Shevchenko proposed to Potapova while he was down on one knee and had the ring in his hand. She asked him to get up as she knew there were problems with his knee. It was a humourous as well as a romantic moment for the couple. The proposal took place in Germany as the couple will now get back on tour.
Anastasia Potapova and Alexander Shevchenko break new grounds on tour
Potapova has played 50 matches this year and has won 30 of them. She achieved a career-best ranking of No.21 three months ago. Potapova is the fifth-highest-ranked Russian on the WTA tour and the youngest from her county in the top 30 of the rankings. The youngster won the WTA 250 title at Linz while beating Marketa Vondrousova and Petra Martic on the way to the title.
Anastasia Potapova posted a photo of having a meal with Alexander Shevchenko in Miami!
A breakthrough season for Alexander on the ATP Tour, reaching two Challenger finals and on the brink of making his Top 100 debut. pic.twitter.com/eYUZ1ocS0q
— WTARussians (@WTArussians) March 25, 2023
Shevchenko made his entry into the top 100 of the rankings for the first time in April this season. He achieved his career-best ranking of No.83 last month. Shevchenko has played 20 matches this season and has won 8 of them so far. He made his debut in the Grand Slams at the French Open this season and lost in the second round. The couple will be breaking more ground on the tour next season.