Reigning Olympic silver medalist Marketa Vondrousova is not participating in the Paris Games due to a hand injury, however, the Czech tennis star is finding joy in her personal life, having recently found romance with Andrew Paulson, a 22-year-old tennis player from Prague.
The year 2024 has been challenging for Vondrousova. The 25-year-old endured the loss of her beloved grandfather and announced her divorce from her husband Stepan Simek in April, after less than two years of marriage and a total relationship span of eight years. Adding to her woes, in July, she became only the second woman in the Open Era, after Stefanie Graf in 1994, to lose in the first round of Wimbledon the year after winning the title. This early exit caused her ranking to plummet from world No. 6 to No. 18 in post-Wimbledon PIF WTA Rankings.
Amidst these difficulties, there is a bright spot in Vondrousova’s life. While she is missing the Paris Olympics, she is enjoying a happy romantic life with her new boyfriend, fellow Czech tennis player Andrew Paulson. Currently ranked No. 388 in the ATP rankings, Paulson’s career-high was No. 123. As his last name does not sound Czech, Paulson explained that it originates from America, where his great-grandfather was from.
“I have ancestors from all over the world. The mother is from the Czech Republic and the father is from Bulgaria. Sometimes we visit family there. But I only know a few words in Bulgarian,” he shared with Tennis World some time ago .
In her latest Instagram update, Vondrousova posted a photo carousel, including a selfie with her new boyfriend. While his face is not visible, the picture shows them hugging in an elevator. Moreover, we can notice that Vondrousova’s cell phone case features a photo of them kissing.
Vondrousova may be sitting out the Olympics, but she is gearing up for the season’s final Grand Slam, the US Open, which begins next month. (source: Blesk.cz, photo: Jimmie48)
