What once looked like the perfect fairytale romance between a football icon and a tennis star may be heading for rocky waters.
Bastian Schweinsteiger and Ana Ivanovic—once the definition of a sports power couple—are reportedly facing serious challenges in their nine-year marriage.
According to German outlet Bild, the couple, who tied the knot in a dreamy Venetian ceremony back in 2016, are struggling to keep their relationship afloat amid growing distance and demanding schedules.
Distance and Demands Taking a Toll
At the heart of the issue appears to be time—or more specifically, a lack of it together.
Schweinsteiger, the 40-year-old World Cup-winning former footballer, is often on the move for work, currently stationed in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Meanwhile, Ivanovic, 37, is holding down the fort with their three young sons in her hometown of Belgrade, Serbia.
Friends close to the couple suggest that the long stretches apart have taken a toll on their relationship.
Ivanovic is reportedly leaning on her family—her parents and brother—for support as Schweinsteiger continues his commitments abroad.
Rare Public Sightings Spark Speculation
Another tell-tale sign that things may not be going smoothly? The couple hasn’t been seen much in public together lately.
Their last public outing was back in September at the Laver Cup tennis tournament in Berlin.
Their most recent Instagram post together came in December, during a festive trip to a Christmas market in Vienna.
Even a recent joint social media appearance turned out to be part of a brand campaign.
The couple posted a video on Instagram Stories two weeks ago, but that clip was pre-recorded to promote their ongoing partnership with fashion brand BRAX.
Silence on the Split Rumors
Despite the mounting speculation, both Schweinsteiger and Ivanovic have chosen to keep quiet about the state of their relationship.
When Bild reached out to Schweinsteiger’s team for comment, they were told that the couple wouldn’t be addressing any personal matters.
The silence, of course, has only fueled further curiosity about whether a formal separation could be on the horizon.
A Love Story That Captivated Fans
The couple’s relationship began in a whirlwind romance after meeting in New York back in 2014.
Not long after, Schweinsteiger proposed in a park in London, and the two were married in July 2016.
Ivanovic retired from professional tennis just a few months after the wedding, while Schweinsteiger was transitioning out of his playing days, wrapping up his time at Manchester United before moving to Chicago Fire in 2017.
He eventually hung up his boots in 2019 and has since worked as a football pundit in Germany.
Building a Family Away from the Spotlight
The couple has always maintained a relatively low profile when it comes to their family life.
They welcomed their first son, Luca, in 2018, followed by Leon in 2019.
In May 2023, they announced the arrival of their third child, though they’ve kept his name private.
While their family life has seemed idyllic from the outside, it’s now becoming clear that fame and distance come with their own set of challenges—even for a couple as admired as Schweinsteiger and Ivanovic.