Nelly Korda Reveals the Pop Star She Dated and Almost Married Last Year — Here’s Who It Was
In a revelation that has left both the sports and music worlds stunned, tennis champion Nelly Korda has opened up about a secret chapter in her life — one that involved love, fame, and a near walk down the aisle.
During a candid interview with Vanity Fair, Korda shared for the first time that she was in a serious relationship with pop star Shawn Mendes throughout much of 2023. The pair reportedly kept their romance entirely out of the public eye, opting for private getaways, low-key dinners, and carefully planned appearances to avoid media attention.
“It was real. It was deep. And for a while, we thought we were headed toward marriage,” Korda said, visibly emotional as she recalled the experience. “But with both of us traveling, performing, and competing all year, the pressure eventually became too much.”
Sources close to the couple say they met at a charity gala in late 2022 and instantly connected over a shared passion for mental wellness and discipline in high-performance careers. Their bond grew quickly, with Mendes even attending some of Korda’s matches incognito. At one point, insiders claim the couple looked at venues in Italy for a possible 2024 wedding.
Despite their strong connection, the relationship reportedly ended amicably in late 2023. “There’s no bad blood,” Korda clarified. “We still support each other from afar. But we knew we needed to grow on our own.”
Fans have reacted with a mix of shock and excitement. Social media exploded with messages like “Shawn and Nelly? This is the crossover I didn’t know I needed” and “I’m crying they were so close to being the ultimate power couple.”
While both stars have kept relatively quiet since the split, Korda’s openness signals a new chapter — one where she’s ready to embrace her story, on and off the court.
