I know I’m getting old, But I’m Not Rushing Into Marriage” — Nelly Korda Says She’s Still Waiting for the Right Person, Despite Fans’ Curiosity About Her Love Life
In the high-stakes world of professional golf, where poise under pressure is as essential as a steady swing, few athletes command the spotlight quite like Nelly Korda. The 26-year-old American phenom, daughter of tennis legend Petr Korda and sister to rising star Jessica Korda, has long been the golden girl of women’s golf. With seven LPGA Tour victories, including the historic 2024 Chevron Championship major, and an Olympic gold medal from the Paris Games, Korda’s trajectory seemed unstoppable. Yet, in a raw and unfiltered moment that has rippled through the sports world, the world No. 1 has confessed she’s struggling — and the vulnerability in her words has left fans reeling.
It was during a quiet, post-round interview at the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship in late November 2024 that Korda let the mask slip. Trailing by several strokes and visibly drained after a grueling birdie-free round, she faced a question about her mindset amid a late-season slump. What followed wasn’t the polished deflection fans have come to expect from elite athletes. Instead, with her voice cracking and eyes downcast, Korda paused, then whispered, “I’m not okay.” The admission hung in the air like a mistimed drive — honest, heavy, and utterly human.
“I’ve been pushing through a lot these past few months,” she elaborated, her words tumbling out in a rush. “The wins, the expectations, the constant travel… it’s all caught up to me. I love this game more than anything, but right now, it feels like I’m carrying the weight of the world on my back. And honestly? I’m tired. I’m not okay, and it’s scary to say that out loud.” As the camera lingered on her, the usually effervescent Korda — known for her infectious smile and effortless charisma — looked every bit the young woman behind the champion: vulnerable, overwhelmed, and in need of a break.
The clip spread like wildfire across social media, amassing millions of views within hours. Fans, who had cheered her through a dominant 2024 season that included six wins and a player-of-the-year nod, flooded comment sections with messages of support. “Nelly, you’re human first. Take the time you need — we’ll be here,” wrote one devotee on Instagram. Another added, “This is why we love you. Strength isn’t hiding the pain; it’s admitting it.” But beneath the encouragement lay a palpable concern. Has the relentless pursuit of greatness finally exacted too high a toll? For a golfer who burst onto the scene as a prodigy, winning her first LPGA event at 21 and ascending to No. 1 by 2021, Korda’s confession marks a stark pivot from invincibility to introspection.
Korda’s journey hasn’t been without its shadows. Early in 2024, she withdrew from a tournament citing blood clots in her arm — a frightening health scare that sidelined her for weeks and forced a reevaluation of her breakneck schedule. She bounced back spectacularly, clinching majors and setting scoring records, but whispers of burnout had already begun to circulate. Teammates like Lexi Thompson, who has spoken openly about her own mental health battles, rallied around her privately. “We’ve all been there,” Thompson later shared in a team huddle. “Nelly’s the strongest among us, but even she needs grace.”
Experts in sports psychology aren’t surprised. Dr. Roberta Kraus, a consultant for several LPGA pros, notes that the tour’s 30-plus events per year, combined with global jet lag and media scrutiny, create a pressure cooker. “Athletes like Nelly are conditioned to perform flawlessly,” Kraus explains. “Admitting ‘I’m not okay’ is revolutionary — it’s a signal that the conversation around mental health in women’s sports is evolving. But it also underscores how under-resourced support systems can be for these women.”
As 2025 dawns, Korda has stepped back from the tee, announcing an indefinite hiatus to “recharge and rediscover why I fell in love with golf in the first place.” In a follow-up statement on her personal blog, she elaborated: “This isn’t quitting; it’s choosing myself. To my fans — thank you for the love. It’s humbling, and it’s what will pull me through.” The golf world holds its breath, wondering if this heartbreak will forge an even fiercer competitor or if the scars run deeper.
For now, Korda’s message serves as a poignant reminder: even the brightest stars flicker. In a sport that demands perfection, her courage to voice the imperfection has sparked a movement. Fans aren’t just concerned — they’re inspired, ready to champion her return on her own terms. Because if Nelly Korda, golf’s unbreakable force, can admit she’s breaking, perhaps it’s okay for the rest of us to do the same.
