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On Monday tennis star Maria Kirilenko broke off her engagement to pro hockey player Alexander Ovechkin due to questionable photos of Ovechkin with another woman.
Here’s what you need to know about the ex-couple and the break-up:
1. They Met at the 2011 US Open
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The Russian athletes first met at the 2011 U.S. Open where Kirilenkio was competing in her prime. At the time she was ranked 19th in the world, eventually making her way up to the top ten by 2013. Recently, Kirilenko has been in a slump due to an ankle injury that dropped her down too 93rd in the Tennis World Ranking while Ovechkin’s career has been on its way up while playing for the Washington Capitals.
Ovechkind told R-Sport of their meeting that the couple ran into each other on accident. Ovechkin had been watching fellow Russian Nadia Petrova warm up with Kirilenko and he went over to speak to Petrova. He ended up talking to Kirilenko and exchanging phone numbers and their relationship grew from there.
2. They Were Engaged in December 2012
After a little over a year of dating, Ovechkin asked for Kirilenko’s hand in marriage on New Year’s Eve 2012. The happy power couple a long engagement and was in the process of planning their wedding.
We are engaged !!!!!!! )))))))))
— Alex Ovechkin (@ovi8) December 31, 2012
3. Kirilenko Ended the Engagement
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Kirilenko announced that she ended the relatioship with Ovechkin to the Russian Tennis Federation (RTF).
Kirilenko said:
“I have decided to terminate the engagement, – said Maria. – There are many reasons, but do not want to go into details.’ll Say one thing: our relationship completed, but I respect Sasha as a person and athlete and I sincerely wish him continued athletic success.”
4. Ovechkin Was Allegedly Seeing Karolina Sevastyanova
Kirilenko ended the relationship after seeing photos of Ovechkin with Russian gymnast Karolina Sevastyanova. Sevastyanova is considered one of the most beautiful gymnasts in the world. Ovechkin and Sevastyanova were in pictures together that were posted on both of their instagram accounts of the two flying in a helicopter and then on the beach in St. Tropez. The shady situation caused Kirilenko to end her three-year relationship with Ovechkin.
5. They Were Apart Often Because of Their Careers
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Since the Kirilenko and Ovechkin are such successful athletes, it was always hard for them to find time to see each other, although this did not affect their relationship negatively.
In an interview with the RMNB.com in 2013, Kirilenko talked about the relationship:
How do you and Alex Ovechkin find time for each other? Do you put dates on your sporting calendar?
To an observer it may seem very difficult, but in reality we see each other often. When Sasha is on break, he always goes with me everywhere, even the tournaments. And when he is playing, I try to go and see him after my tournaments.
Do you find each other interesting? You are both athletes, you have a lot in common…
Oh no, it helps us, brings us closer – we understand each other very well. two athletes, especially two talented athletes – how can that be a problem?
