In an unexpected turn of events at Indian Wells, 23-year-old tennis star, Anastasia Potapova, was seen fervently supporting Tallon Griekspoor, the World No. 43 and the man who scored an upset victory over top seed Alexander Zverev in the tournament’s second round. This sighting of the Russian sensation in Griekspoor’s box is stirring up intrigue, especially considering her recent personal life developments.
Potapova, who currently ranks as WTA No. 34, has been in the limelight lately, not just for her on-court exploits but also for her off-court activities. This isn’t the first time she has been spotted in the audience during Griekspoor’s matches. Interestingly, this comes on the heels of the confirmation of her divorce from fellow ATP player Alexander Shevchenko.
The young tennis power couple had tied the knot in St Petersburg during the off-season in 2023, just three months after they announced their engagement. However, rumors of trouble in their marital paradise began surfacing by September. By the year-end, the couple publicly acknowledged their separation.
Post-divorce, Potapova has expressed feeling “lighter” and seems to have found renewed vigor in her game, clinching the title in Cluj-Napoca only last month. Her presence in Griekspoor’s corner during the Dubai Championships and now at Indian Wells has drawn attention and sparked speculation of a budding friendship between the two.
The match between Griekspoor and Zverev was nothing short of thrilling. Zverev, the top seed, served for the match in the second set, only to be checked by the Dutchman who forced a decider. Potapova was seen enthusiastically cheering on Griekspoor, who after six match points, emerged victorious in what was the biggest win of his career.
Potapova’s camaraderie with Griekspoor certainly has tongues wagging, but what’s more significant is her personal transformation since her divorce. In a recent interview with Tennis ahead of Indian Wells, she shared, “I feel like I’m 10 kilos now. I feel very light in my head. I have such big relief, and I’m just really enjoying every day, every moment.”
She further opened up about her separation from Shevchenko in a candid interview with Sofya Tartakova of Bolshe. Expressing regret over how things unfolded, she still wished her ex-husband, ATP No. 98 Shevchenko, the very best in his future endeavors.
While all eyes are on her off-court happenings, Potapova is very much focused on her game at Indian Wells. Having notched a win in the first round, she is all set to face the Australian Open champion, Madison Keys, in her next match. This will be Keys’ first appearance post her impressive Grand Slam victory. With so much drama unfolding both on and off the court, Indian Wells is indeed promising high-octane tennis action.