Athletes are not just connected by their shared passion for sport, they are drawn to each other by a shared mindset of discipline, ambition and the drive to be the best in their field. Across every arena, from the tennis court to the wrestling ring, sporting couples have captivated audiences, proving that love and competition can go hand in hand. These duos navigate the unique challenges of elite sports together, balancing rivalry with unwavering support. It is no surprise these couples are some of the most successful athletes in their respective fields.
Pro Wrestling
While there have been many famous couples in professional wrestling, such as CM Punk & AJ Lee or Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch, none have been more deeply woven into its history than “Macho Man” Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth. The pair married in real life in late 1984, but their most memorable wedding took place in the main event segment of WWF SummerSlam 1991 in a storyline dubbed “A Match Made in Heaven”. Their moment was unfortunately derailed when Elizabeth opened a wedding gift to reveal a snake, and Savage was subsequently attacked by the villainous Jake “The Snake” Roberts and The Undertaker. Though their on-screen love story was one of the WWF’s most beloved, their real-life marriage was far more turbulent. Behind the scenes, Savage’s overprotective nature and the pressures of the wrestling business strained their relationship, leading to their real-life divorce in August 1992.
Tennis
With 30 Grand Slam titles between them, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf were undeniably the most dominant couple in tennis. Graf started earlier than Agassi, being ranked #1 in the world by 1987, whereas it would take Andre until 1995 to reach the same position. While Andre has said he’d had a crush on Steffi since the early ’90s, they would not marry until October 2001 in a private ceremony. They now have two children and live in Nevada.
Athletics
Hunter Woodhall and Tara Davis have captivated the athletics world. Since meeting at a track meet in 2017, the high school sweethearts have risen to the pinnacle of their sports, becoming world class Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Davis, a powerhouse in the long jump, placed sixth in Tokyo 2021 before going on to win gold in Paris. Woodhall, a sensation on the track, claimed gold in the Paralympic men’s 400m T62. Their unwavering support for one another was on full display in a viral moment at the games, as they both raced toward each other in triumph, celebrating their shared victories in an unforgettable embrace.
Cycling
Cycling’s golden couple, Laura and Jason Kenny, have been together since 2012. The first met in 2010 when Laura was selected to join the British training programme, although it was not love at first sight: “I didn’t like him, I really didn’t…If he was in a room with me, he’d just sit there; he wouldn’t come up to me.” Although this quickly changed with a playful moment caught on camera – when they were seen sharing a kiss in the stands at an Olympic volleyball match behind none other than David Beckham – that the world truly took notice. The pair married in 2016 and Laura Kenny announced in December 2024 that the couple were expecting their third child, after opening up about her heartbreaking experiences with a miscarriage in 2021 and an ectopic pregnancy in 2022. With 15 Olympic medals between them, 12 gold and 3 silver, the Kennys have not only captured the nation’s heart but also redefined cycling excellence. The couple are now both retired, with Jason Kenny retiring in 2022 to focus on coaching and Laura retiring in 2024.
Romances aren’t always restricted to the same sport. Laila Ali, an undefeated boxing champion and daughter of the legendary Muhammad Ali, found love outside the ring with former NFL wide receiver Curtis Conway. While Ali dominated with a 24-0 record before retiring in 2007, Conway had an impressive 12-season career in the NFL, playing for the Chicago Bears, the San Diego Chargers, the New York Jets, and eventually ending his career in 2004 with the San Francisco 49ers. The pair married in July 2007, in Los Angeles, and have two children. Conway kept up his career in sports, currently working as an analyst for the cable network Pac-12.
Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird similarly found romance outside of their respective sports. The pair first crossed paths at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, where a chance encounter at a press event sparked an instant connection. Bird, a cornerstone of Seattle Storm in the WNBA, is celebrated as one of the greatest WNBA players in history. She retired from the sport in 2022 but left an indelible legacy. Rapinoe made her mark playing for Seattle Reign, becoming an ‘integral part of establishing Reign’s identity on and off the pitch’. She went on to play for the United States national team before retiring in 2023.
The pair launched a production company in 2022 called A Touch More with the aim of creating a space for ‘identity, activism, and underrepresented communities’ to share their stores. Their legacy extends beyond the pitch and the court, turning their passion for advocacy into a platform for change.
