The fairytale appears to be over for former tennis star Dominika Cibulková and her husband of nearly ten years, Michal Navara. News of their separation surfaced at the beginning of , sending shockwaves through the Slovak sports community. Cibulková confirmed the split via a social media post, following months of speculation and reported attempts at reconciliation.
However, the story extends beyond a simple divorce. Cibulková has already moved on, entering into a relationship with Tibor Vincze, a longtime family friend and, crucially, the former husband of a close friend. This has triggered not one, but two high-profile divorces, reshaping social circles within Slovakia’s elite.
The connection between Cibulková and Vincze appears to have been developing for some time. Vincze had been a fixture in the couple’s social orbit for over a year, even attending family events alongside Navara. This wasn’t a clandestine affair, but rather a relationship that unfolded in plain sight, fueled by shared social circles and a surprising business venture.
In , Navara and Vincze co-founded BAGETA 89 s.r.o., a catering company, with Vincze assuming the role of CEO. The partnership dissolved abruptly just months later, also in , a timing that now appears less coincidental. The dissolution of the business preceded the growing rumors of trouble in Cibulková and Navara’s marriage.
The fallout has been particularly painful for Alexandra Vincze, Tibor’s soon-to-be ex-wife. In an interview, she detailed her growing suspicions, beginning in , and the realization that a close friendship had been betrayed. She expressed disbelief at the situation, stating that she would never have acted in a similar manner, emphasizing the importance of loyalty, family, and trust.
Cibulková acknowledged the difficulties of the situation, stating that she and Navara had reached a point where their paths diverged. “We’ve lived a really full and beautiful life together,” she said. “We have two beautiful, healthy children, for whom we are the best parents and will remain so. Even though our paths have separated, I believe we can be friends in the future and realize that those fifteen years together had meaning.”
She also spoke of a sense of liberation, feeling as though a weight had been lifted. “Maybe I’ve finally grown up,” Cibulková reflected. “Someone has always dictated my life. I adapted to tournaments, countries, people. Now I’ve decided for myself. And I have to say that, it’s also good that we’re talking about it, because finally I can name the feeling I have inside. And that is freedom. As if something heavy had fallen off my shoulders. I freed myself from suffering, difficulties, what people will say. From what will happen if my ideal world collapses. I’m finally myself.”
Navara reportedly found the situation particularly difficult, appearing visibly distressed and filing for divorce last fall. Communication between the couple is now being handled through lawyers. Cibulková anticipates a shift in her social circle, acknowledging that some friendships may not survive the upheaval.
Despite the personal turmoil, Cibulková emphasized that the well-being of her children remains the top priority for both her and Navara. The couple share two children, a son born in and a daughter born in .
The situation has been a public one from the start, with Cibulková and Navara’s wedding described as the “most watched” of the year. Navara had faced public scrutiny even early in the relationship, with some questioning his role and contributions. He also served as Cibulková’s manager for a significant portion of her career, a dual role that drew criticism from some quarters.
While Cibulková initially sought a harmonious and lasting marriage, she ultimately recognized the need to prioritize her own happiness and authenticity. “But at some point, our views began to diverge with Michal. We were no longer the same twenty-five-year-olds, but each had a different view on certain things. Sometimes it comes when neither of those two people knows what’s happening, they start to judge each other and perceive that it was easy for me to decide how to go on? Is it right to go against each other just to please the outside world?” she stated.
“This isn’t about selfishness, it’s about if you’re going to live honestly with yourself? How to live so that I am internally connected and so that I am a happy mother for my children? Is it right to go against yourself just to please the outside world? There are situations when it is better to go away from each other and be a support to that other person even though that joint functioning is no longer as solid as it once was,” Cibulková concluded.
