Awkward On-Air Mix-Up at Australian Open Final
Tennis icon Chris Evert created a lighthearted moment during live broadcast of the Australian Open women’s final when she mistakenly referred to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka as pop sensation Ariana Grande.
The gaffe occurred amid coverage of Elena Rybakina’s victory over Sabalenka, securing Rybakina’s second Grand Slam title with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win at Melbourne Park. Rybakina, representing Kazakhstan, celebrated modestly with a fist pump and wave to the crowd after closing the match with an ace in the third set.
Evert’s Commentary Turns Humorous
Evert discussed Rybakina’s reserved demeanor on court, noting her businesslike approach during her first major win at Wimbledon. “The first time she won a major at Wimbledon, it was very businesslike and there was really no emotion,” Evert remarked. She added that Rybakina appeared joyful in this triumph, allowing some emotions to show.
Transitioning to Sabalenka, Evert stumbled over the name: “But listen, Ariana, Aryna, Ariana Grande.” Recovering quickly, she continued, “Aryna Sabalenka is used to having every match on her racket, and she finally came up against an opponent who plays the same way.”
Fan Reactions and Match Highlights
Tennis enthusiasts quickly noticed the slip, with one viewer questioning, “Did Chris Evert really call Aryna Sabalenka, Ariana Grande?” Another clarified it as playful self-deprecation after mispronouncing the name, calling it a funny moment.
Rybakina reflected on the intensity, stating, “The heart rate was definitely beating too fast. Even maybe my face didn’t show, but inside it was a lot of emotions.” The 26-year-old, born in Moscow, emphasized the need to stay composed after a tense semifinal against Jessica Pegula.
Sabalenka, the defending champion from 2023 and 2024, led 3-0 in the third set but lost focus. “I was 3-0 in the third set. I lost my focus and it was 3-4,” she explained. “She did a better job in handling that pressure moment, that’s for sure. Maybe I should have tried to be more aggressive on my serve.” Sabalenka praised Rybakina’s performance, admitting, “She played incredible. She made some winners. I made a couple of unforced errors.”
This matchup marked a rematch of the 2023 final, where Sabalenka had prevailed, highlighting the competitive rivalry between the two power players.
