In this modern society, exponential social media followings have paved the way for a new avenue of celebrity news.
Power couples have risen to prominence and often, one half, or sometimes both, are sporting stars.
Here, we look at 10 double acts – with the stipulation being that at least one of them needs to be a current sportsperson – who make up a power couple.
VIRAT KOHLI AND ANUSHKA SHARMA
The Indian cricket idol started dating the famous Bollywood star back in 2013 – with the couple earning the celebrity nickname “Virushka”. They both tried to shy away from the media spotlight and married in private in December last year, choosing a quaint venue away from the cameras in Finocchieto, Tuscany in southern Italy.
SHOAIB MALIK AND SANIA MIRZA
Their marriage has brought the fierce Pakistan-India rivalry closer together. Malik, a specialist all-rounder for Pakistan, tied the knot with the Indian tennis ace in April 2010. The two had ceremonies in both Hyderabad and Lahore. Not surprisingly, the couple are regularly in the public eye.
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI AND DAVID LEE
The recently-crowned Australian Open champion got engaged to the former Golden State Warriors NBA star in November last year, having revealed they were going out earlier in 2017. The Dane was previously engaged to four-time golf Major winner Rory McIlroy in 2013.
SERENA WILLIAMS AND ALEXIS OHANIAN
The 23-time Grand Slam winner married the Reddit co-founder in November 2017 at a glitzy bash in New Orleans, with guests including Beyonce, Anna Wintour, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. Two months prior, the couple had their first child, a girl called Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.
ELINA SVITOLINA AND REECE TOPLEY
The World No3 WTA player and England Cricket fast bowler met after a chance gym session in London but have to deal with long-distance due to the gruelling schedules of their respective sports. Svitolina admitted she knew nothing about Topley’s profession previously but his 6 ft 7 frame stood out. One of the emerging twosomes.
CHRISTIAN HORNER AND GERI HALLIWELL
The Red Bull Racing Team Principal, who started his career as a racing driver, married the former Spice Girl in November 2016 after being engaged two years prior. They are often spotted at Formula One grids together around the world.
TOM BRADY AND GISELE BUNDCHEN
One of sport’s most famous men, the NFL legend met the well-known Brazilian supermodel on a blind date in December 2006. They married in California three years later and a few months after that had their first child. In 2012, they announced news that a new daughter was born.
GERARD PIQUE AND SHAKIRA
One of the most high-profile double acts around, the Barcelona defender has been with the famed Colombian singer since 2011. Interestingly, they share the same birthday – February 2 – but are 10 years apart in age with Pique being the younger at 31. They also have two children.
ANA IVANOVIC AND BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER
The former French Open champion retired from tennis in late 2016, and six months earlier, tied the knot with the ex-Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Germany legend in Venice. At 33, the midfielder is still going strong and currently playing for Chicago Fire.
JUSTIN VERLANDER AND KATE UPTON
The Houston Astros pitcher and 2017 World Series champion got engaged to the Hollywood model-turned-actress in 2016 following intense media speculation and they then walked the aisle a year later in Tuscany, Italy.
