The ex-tennis power couple targeting Paris 2024 gold – despite recent split
With just 16 spots in the main draw, the mixed doubles event at Paris 2024 was always going to throw up some brutal round-one ties.
But perhaps no match was more intriguing than the round one between top seeds Alexander Zverev and Laura Siegemund, and Czech stars Katerina Siniakova and Tomas Machac.
Siniakova and Machac are perhaps the strongest unseeded pair in the draw and, while it is a shock on paper, their 6-4, 7-5 triumph against their German opponents is a surprise to no one.
However, their partnership at the Olympics is made more interesting after recent events off the court.
Power couple call it quits
Siniakova and Machac have both found success on the court this season, with the former having a particularly fruitful time.
The 28-year-old won back-to-back women’s doubles Grand Slams earlier in the summer, partnering with Coco Gauff at Roland Garros and then Taylor Townsend at Wimbledon.
Those victories brought Siniakova’s Grand Slam haul up to nine titles after seven previous majors with Barbora Krejcikova, cementing her place as perhaps the leading WTA doubles star of her generation.
Machac hasn’t quite established himself in the game at that same level, though eye-catching wins over Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic have boosted his rise up the singles rankings.
With both finding success on the court, it was only natural that more attention was thrown at them off it – particularly concerning their long-term relationship.
Siniakova and Machac, 23, first started dating in 2021 and their relationship become more prominent in recent times.
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Focus on relationships between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa, and Jannik Sinner and Anna Kalinskaya, turned eyes onto more tennis couples – and the Czech duo became regulars at off-court events.
However, rumours started circulating in Czechia earlier this month that the two had split, with no recent posts by the two regarding their relationship.
And Siniakova confirmed the unfortunate news to Czech site Blesk at the Prague Open last week, saying: “Yes, it’s true, but this is my private matter.”
Mixed dream still on
Siniakova is already an Olympic gold medallist, winning the women’s doubles title with Krejcikova in the delayed Tokyo Games in 2021
She and the Wimbledon champion are attempting to defend their title – but, despite their split, she is also still going for doubles gold with Machac, who is making his Olympic debut.
“Of course we will play, we are professionals after all,” she said last week.
Victory over Zverev and Siegemund was a statement result and, should they beat Kei Nishikori and Ena Shibahara in round two, they will be guaranteed to play for a medal.
It would be an incredible testament to the professionalism of both should they take home silverware.
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