Anastasia Potapova Reveals 'Problems' Led To Divorce From Alexander Shevchenko
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Anastasia Potapova and Alexander Shevchenko's marriage was short-lived, and the WTA star recently opened up about getting divorced.
Potapova and Shevchenko's divorce was announced in December. They had split a few months before but initially kept it private. Their marriage lasted less than a year after tying the knot quickly in 2023.
The tennis players married in December 2023, six months after publicly announcing their relationship in June of the same year. Unfortunately, the pair's marriage swiftly unraveled in a way neither of them expected.
In an interview with Bolsche's Sofya Tartakova, Potapova expressed disappointment with the outcome but wished Shevchenko the best in his career, making it seem they parted on amicable terms.
"I made some shockingly big decisions at the end of the year. 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."
"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 admitted that she and Shevchenko had problems in their marriage that could not be overcome and revealed several others asked about her split from the ATP player despite it not being polite.
"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."
"My team, my close ones, even me, we were all shocked by how mentally strong I could be. 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."
The WTA world No. 33 paid tribute to her parents for being supportive and not judgmental. Potapova also revealed that her mother had a great relationship with Shevchenko and supported both players.
"I have incredible parents, who understand me the way I am. They never judge me, never judge my choices: ‘Wedding? Ok, we’ll have a wedding. Divorce? Sad, painful, but how we help you?’ Mom had a great relationship with Sasha; 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."
Other tennis couples hope not to suffer the same fate as Potapova and Shevchenko. Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter recently got engaged, and Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas are another high-profile tennis couple.
At the 2025 Australian Open, Badosa clarified that the animated gestures she made towards her team were not aimed at Tsitsipas specifically.
