On day seven of the 2024 US Open, spectators fill every inch of Court 11 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre, bypassing American superstars Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe on Arthur Ashe Stadium, to watch one of the most talked-about couples in tennis: Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas, collectively known as “Tsitsidosa.” The 26-year-old couple, who have amassed a considerable following on social media, lost their first competitive match in mixed doubles to Giuliana Olmos and Santiago Gonzalez of Mexico. However, Badosa, the 26th seed in women’s singles, clinched victory over Wang Yafan of China in the quarterfinals, making it the furthest she’s progressed in a Grand Slam since 2021.
Tsitsipas watched his partner advance as he had fallen out of the tournament on day one to Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis. A few weeks prior, the 2024 Paris Olympics had rumbled with rumors about mixed doubles gold medalists Katerina Siniakova and Tomas Machac’s relationship. Despite Siniakova announcing their split on social media prior to the Games, they were seen striking a close rapport after winning the finals. Since then, they’ve been reserved about their relationship status, leaving fans and press in a state of intrigue.
The tennis world has seen several romantic pairings, with some leading to improved performance levels, as experienced by Katie Boulter, who has had a positive surge in her game after starting to date Alex de Minaur. However, upsets often come into play, especially when one partner wins while the other suffers a loss. Tsitsidosa experienced this dynamic during the US Open as Badosa advanced while Tsitsipas faced early elimination. Similarly, when Jannik Sinner won a title in Halle, Germany, his partner Anna Kalinskaya was on the losing end of a final in Berlin.
Despite the challenges, tennis couples value the understanding that comes from having partners who share the same profession. They can empathize with each other’s journey, knowing the rhythm and struggles of tennis players on a first-hand basis. Yet, they also admit to the stress of watching each other’s matches. For example, Machac confessed to feeling so tense while watching Siniakova play at the French Open that he couldn’t bring himself to even look.
Outside the court, the logistics of life as traveling athletes can prove stressful. Tennis players often have hectic, specialized schedules that can hardly overlap, leading to couples spending less time together. Matteo Berrettini, featured in the Netflix documentary “Break Point,” faces a tense moment with his then-girlfriend Ajla Tomljanovic over logistics while preparing for the Australian Open semifinals. The pair separated soon after.
Coping with breakups has also been a hot topic among tennis couples. Alison Van Uytvanck, who was once in a relationship with fellow player Greet Minnen, speaks about the challenges and competition that crept into their personal lives, turning even mundane activities into contests. They shared a competitive tension even on the court. After their breakup, they endured awkward encounters at tournaments. Many couples, like Badosa and Tsitsipas, have experienced breakups in the past, but continue to play together and remain in the public limelight. In the end, it’s all about striking the right balance to make it work as a tennis couple.
