Less a fortnight after having the most successful week at a Grand Slam event of her career, Alison Riske marked another huge milestone, this one personal -- her wedding day.
Riske married her long-time partner Stephen Amritraj in Pittsburgh, PA, on Sunday, just 13 days after upsetting World No.1 Ashleigh Barty on Wimbledon's Manic Monday to reach the first Grand Slam quarterfinal of her career.
29-year old Riske pushed eventual finalist Serena Williams to three sets before falling in a close battle the next day. The Pittsburgh native, who also won her second career WTA singles title earlier this year on grass at s-Hertogenbosch, has risen from outside the Top 60 to World No.37 this season -- putting her just one spot off of her career-high ranking.
Best day of my life to marry the woman of my dreams @Riske4rewards and to be surrounded by family, friends, mentors, colleagues and coaches.
Thank you to everyone who has sent messages to us.
Grateful beyond words. pic.twitter.com/8O3uZ84NZz— Stephen Amritraj (@stephenamritraj) July 21, 2019
But as Wimbledon came to a close, Riske was preparing to head down the aisle -- a thought which might have propelled her to top-notch form during the grass-court Grand Slam event.
"I wish I could get married more often," Riske said during her press conference after beating Barty. "Maybe we'll have to renew our vows because it's worked out well having that on the horizon. I'm looking forward to it so much."
"I haven't been stressed about it really from the beginning, probably because my fiance has been doing all the work," she continued, with a laugh.
Indeed, Riske celebrated her marriage in style as she took to the dance floor for a Bollywood dance number, which India Today reported is the song "Nachde Ne Saare" from the movie "Baar Baar Dekho."
officially an Amritraj! I’m the luckiest lady because of @stephenamritraj ! where all my new Indian followers at??!! here’s a little Bollywood to try to win over your affection! 🤣💞🥂 pic.twitter.com/ejX29aT5cF
— Alison Riske-Amritraj🇺🇸🇮🇳 (@Riske4rewards) July 21, 2019
Amritraj has deep professional tennis connections as well. He played college tennis at Duke University and was ranked in the doubles Top 200 on the ATP Tour in 2008. His father Anand was Top 100 on the ATP in singles and doubles, and his uncle Vijay was Top 20 in singles and a four-time Grand Slam singles quarterfinalist.
Fellow American players Jennifer Brady, CoCo Vandeweghe, Shelby Rogers, and Melanie Oudin were just a few of the people to celebrate with Riske on her big day.
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Amritraj! 🥂 What an exciting and special weekend celebrating two amazing people! So happy for you!Thanks for sharing your day with me! Your love for each other is inspiring! Love you both! @stephenamritraj @Riske4rewards pic.twitter.com/bP6HyLXObv
— Melanie Oudin (@melanie_oudin) July 23, 2019
And former WTA Doubles World No.1 Sania Mirza approved of Riske's dance prowess:
Yay!! Congratulations.. to you and @stephenamritraj ❤️ those moves btw 👏🏽👏🏽 https://t.co/VXUJeetN4J
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) July 22, 2019