Tomas Machac defeats professional partner for Olympic gold medal

Tomas Machac knows how to keep his friends close and his enemies closer. On Friday, Machac and Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic defeated China’s Wang Xinyu and Zhang Zhizhen to secure the gold medal in the tennis mixed doubles event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

With a gold medal on the line, the match was already dramatic. However, there was another storyline sneaking beneath most viewers’ noses. Siniakova is Machac’s ex-girlfriend, and possible current girlfriend, while Zhizhen is Machac’s doubles partner outside of the Olympics.

Machac’s loyalties were at odds on the court but he ultimately escaped with a win and his relationship seemingly still intact. The Czech pair won the match 6-2, 5-7, 10-8. Machac and Siniakova first began dating in 2020.

They met on tour and spent more time together at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but they did not compete together at the time. After four years, Machac and Siniakova finally received their chance to show off their chemistry on the world’s biggest stage.

Yet, just before the Olympics began, rumors surfaced claiming the couple had split. Siniakova reportedly confirmed these rumors but it appears the pair may have rekindled their relationship. In an interview with claytenis.com, the power couple pulled back the curtain on their dynamic on and off the court.

“We’re not roommates – we’re professionals! So at least for this week, we don’t sleep together,” Machac said. “Although always after dinner together we say good night… and good morning. That’s important.”

Siniakova, who is five years older than Machac, added further mystery to the situation after they won the gold medal when a reporter asked about the pair’s relationship status.

“That’s our personal life, so you don’t need to know that,” Siniakova said with a chuckle. “We like when you are confused.”

Siniakova is a nine-time Grand Slam champion in women’s doubles, seven of which she won with longtime partner and fellow Czech Barbora Krejčíková. She also won two other Majors, partnering with Coco Gauff at the 2024 French Open and Taylor Townsend at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships. 

She’s currently ranked the No. 2 doubles player in the world. Although Machac’s record is still stunning, it’s far from as impressive as Siniakova’s. Machac is currently the No. 51 doubles player in the world, the highest ranking he’s ever achieved.

Perhaps with a few more tips from Siniakova, Tomas Machac can continue to climb the ladder. If the couple remains together, Machac should have no shortage of opportunities to learn.