Awkward On-Air Mix-Up at Australian Open Final

Tennis legend Chris Evert created an amusing moment during live coverage of the Australian Open women’s final when she referred to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka as Ariana Grande. The slip occurred as commentators discussed the intense match between Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina at Melbourne Park.

Rybakina secured her second Grand Slam title with a hard-fought 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 victory over Sabalenka, the defending champion from 2023 and 2024. The 26-year-old, representing Kazakhstan despite being born in Moscow, capped the win with a decisive ace in the third set after mounting a comeback.

Evert’s Commentary and the Gaffe

Evert praised Rybakina’s emotional display, noting how the champion allowed herself to show joy after her businesslike Wimbledon win in 2021. ‘She really looks like she was so happy, so joyful, and allowed herself to have some emotions there and it was really nice to see,’ Evert remarked.

The conversation shifted to Sabalenka, but Evert stumbled over the name. ‘But listen, Ariana, Aryna, Ariana Grande,’ she said, before recovering. ‘Aryna Sabalenka is used to having every match on her racket,’ Evert added, highlighting how Rybakina matched Sabalenka’s powerful style.

Match Highlights and Player Reactions

Sabalenka started strong, leading 3-0 in the third set, but lost focus as Rybakina fought back. ‘I was 3-0 [in the third set]. I lost my focus and it was 3-4,’ Sabalenka reflected post-match. ‘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.’

Rybakina admitted to inner turmoil despite her calm exterior. ‘The heart rate was definitely beating too fast. Even maybe (my) face didn’t show, but inside it was a lot of emotions,’ she said. This triumph follows a challenging start to 2025, including her coach’s suspension, and builds on her WTA Finals victory in November.

Rybakina’s celebration remained subdued—a fist pump, embrace, and wave to the crowd—mirroring her composed on-court demeanor.

Fan Responses to the Slip

Tennis enthusiasts quickly noticed Evert’s blunder on social media. One viewer questioned, ‘Did Chris Evert really call Aryna Sabalenka, Ariana Grande?’ Another clarified, ‘No, she was kidding after she mispronounced Aryna’s first name.’ A third appreciated the humor: ‘Oh, I thought it was gonna be a total slip-up. That was a pretty funny little bit of self-deprecation.’

The lighthearted error added a memorable touch to an already thrilling final, underscoring the high stakes and human elements of professional tennis.