Chris Evert and Greg Norman appeared to have it all: a fervent relationship, sultry international travel and unwavering support from one another.

Norman remarked of Evert in 2007 to Golf magazine, “We like to be with each other,” according to the New York Post. “We really love each other’s company. There are many things in life that we have a strong connection to.”

The Australian golfer and tennis player confirmed their engagement in December 2007 at a South Africa event. In April 2008, Evert made an appearance on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show, where she flaunted her engagement ring and mentioned how she and Norman had a “connection.”

“It’s not like you’re 18 at our age, over 50. “We’ve both lived long enough to know,” Evert responded to Winfrey’s question about if she was worried about getting married again so soon after divorcing skier Andy Mill.

In June 2008, six months after declaring their engagement, the pair got married in the Bahamas. But in 2009, after only 15 months of marriage, the tennis player and golf legend who had left their longstanding spouses for each other in 2006 announced their divorce.

Why did Evert and Norman get divorced when it seemed like their union was torn from a fairytale at first?

A look back at Chris Evert and Greg Norman’s relationship, from their brief engagement and alleged family disputes to their brief marriage.

Chris Evert and Greg Norman divorce their spouses to be together in 2006

The romance between Evert and Norman was contentious from the beginning. Both professional players ended their marriages in 2006 in order to start their own romantic relationships.

Evert filed for divorce from Mill, with whom she has three children: Alex, Nicky, and Colton, after 18 years of marriage. Prior to Mill, Evert wed British tennis star John Lloyd in 1979 and the two parted ways in 1987. The 25-year wife of Norman’s best buddy Mill, Laura Andrassy, with whom he had two daughters, Morgan-Leigh and Greg Jr., ended their marriage.

Chris Evert and Greg Norman announce their engagement on December 14, 2007

While Evert was constructing a new tennis complex in South Africa, he and Norman made the announcement of their engagement during a golf tournament.

Evert responded, “Well, it is an engagement ring,” to reporters who inquired about her plans for marriage. However, we have no idea where or when we’ll tie the knot.”

Chris Evert and Greg Norman get married on June 28, 2008

On June 28, 2008, Evert and Norman exchanged vows in the Bahamas. When speaking about their wedding ceremony, Evert told 60 Minutes Australia in 2009 that it was “a beautiful three days, and we had our closest friends and family.” “The amount was not a million dollars or more than what was stated. Everything was over the top. The vows were excellent, and it was extremely low-key.”

Evert told PEOPLE during their idyllic sunset wedding, “Greg will take care of me emotionally.” This was Norman’s second marriage and Evert’s third.

Chris Evert and Greg Norman split on October 2, 2009

After being married for 15 months, Chris Evert and Greg Norman announced their separation to PEOPLE on October 2, 2009.
Evert’s representative, Tammy Starr, told PEOPLE that “Chris and Greg will remain friends and supportive of one another’s family,” while Norman’s representative confirmed the breakup.
After Greg left the scene in 2009, Mill, who engaged to Aspen homemaker Debra Harvick, continued, saying, “We are all fine, and I am ecstatic.” Chrissy and I are friends, and Debra and I are always there for the kids.”

Mill, Evert’s ex-husband, suffered for three years over his wife and closest friend’s betrayal.
“Divorce is like a golf swing  it always makes someone happy,” Mill stated.

Chris Evert and Greg Norman finalize their divorce on December 8, 2009

On December 8, 2009, two months after their marriage ended, Evert and Norman officially filed for divorce. According to Reuters, the ex-couples finished the necessary paperwork in Key West, Florida, to end their union. According to reports, the settlement stipulated that Evert and Norman would follow their own private pre-nuptial agreement and that no money would be transferred.

According to the court order received by Australian Associated Press (AAP) and obtained by Reuters, “the bonds of marriage between petitioner/husband, Greg Norman, and respondent/wife, Chris Evert, are dissolved because the marriage is irretrievably broken and the parties are restored to the status of being single.”