EntertainmentFootballer Schweinsteiger's grand proposal to tennis star Ivanović: A romantic tale

Footballer Schweinsteiger's grand proposal to tennis star Ivanović: A romantic tale

Ana Ivanović and Bastian Schweinsteiger got married in 2016.
Ana Ivanović and Bastian Schweinsteiger got married in 2016.
Images source: © Getty Images | Clive Brunskill

5:14 PM EST, December 21, 2023

Many found Bastian Schweinsteiger's move from Bayern Munich to Manchester United surprising in 2015. The midfielder, who had been rooted in German football since childhood, decided to try his luck in England. His stint with the Old Trafford club from 2015 to 2017 may not have been successful from a sports perspective, but it was a time of personal transformation.

During this period, the German footballer decided to propose to the beautiful tennis player Ana Ivanović. He thoughtfully planned a surprise for this meaningful event, executing it right in England.

Bastian Schweinsteiger went to the extent of secretly renting a private park. He kept everything under wraps and only revealed to Ana Ivanović that they were taking advantage of a supposedly improperly closed gate when entering the park. Soon after, the surprise was unveiled, and the German made his proposal.

The proposal was inspired by the Hollywood classic, Notting Hill. In the romantic comedy, the characters played by Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts share time together on a park bench. Premiered in 1999, 16 years later, under similarly romantic circumstances, Schweinsteiger proposed to Ivanović.

“There are small parks in London, only available to residents of the district. I secretly reIn London there are small parks that are only accessible to local residents. And then I secretly rented the park from the Notting Hill film. Of course I knew that Ana was extremely curious (...). And then we went in there – and then I asked her. This came as a complete surprise to her," Bastian Schweinsteiger shared on the "Bild's" podcast.

Before the wedding in Venice, Italy, the former footballer revealed that he had prepared to meet Ivanović's father. He decided to learn Serbian to convey his intentions to Miroslav, convincing him that he was the right man for his daughter in his language.

"I was able to score a few points with the family by asking Ana’s father for her hand in marriage in Serbian. I flew to Belgrade and asked," said Bastian Schweinsteiger.