Livvy Dunne and her boyfriend, Paul Skenes, are both young athletes whose careers are rapidly ascending, which presents unique challenges in their relationship.
Dunne, a celebrated gymnast at Louisiana State University, and Skenes, a rookie pitching sensation for the Pittsburgh Pirates, began dating last summer.
Despite their demanding schedules, Dunne, 21, shared with Us Weekly the hurdles they face.
“We’re always in different states,” Dunne remarked on Thursday, July 11, at the 2024 ESPY Awards red carpet at the Dolby Theatre in L.A. “We try to see each other as much as possible, especially during my offseason in the summer. When it’s his offseason, he’ll come to LSU and visit me.”
The couple also grapples with the increasing public attention their relationship garners. “Just being in the public eye, trying to keep things private. That’s definitely a little bit difficult,” Dunne admitted.
To maintain their bond despite the distance, Dunne and Skenes have found creative solutions, albeit not always glamorous ones. “We just FaceTime,” Dunne shared. “Just on the couch. We don’t even need to be talking. We just like to be in each other’s digital presence. It’s wonderful.”
The past few months have been a whirlwind for Skenes, the former No. 1 overall draft pick who has made a significant impact in Major League Baseball since his debut in May. Dunne expressed her pride in Skenes’ achievements, saying, “I know how hard he works for everything he has now. Just to see it all pay off, there’s nobody more deserving.”
RELATED: Pittsburgh Pirates Manager Explains Why He Pulled Paul Skenes Amid No-Hitter
At the time of her interview, Skenes had just flirted with a no-hitter in his start against the Milwaukee Brewers. He was pulled after pitching seven no-hit innings, a decision that sparked debate among baseball fans and commentators. “You’re six outs away, what are we doing?” Rich Eisen questioned on the July 12 episode of The Rich Eisen Show.
Dunne, however, took the controversial decision in stride, celebrating Skenes’ performance on Instagram with a simple yet supportive “Slay” alongside an image of his stats.
Skenes recently shared photos from a visit Dunne made to Pittsburgh, showcasing their time together outside PNC Park, the home of the Pirates. The Instagram post, dated July 2, featured the couple enjoying a boat ride, capturing moments of joy amid their hectic lives.
Navigating a long-distance relationship under the scrutiny of public attention isn’t easy, but Dunne and Skenes seem to have found a rhythm that works for them. Their dedication to both their careers and each other is evident, and they continue to support one another through the ups and downs of their respective journeys.
