In a lighthearted moment during the Australian Open women’s final coverage, tennis legend Chris Evert accidentally referred to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka as pop sensation Ariana Grande while commentating on the match.
Elena Rybakina secured her second Grand Slam title with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 victory over Sabalenka at Melbourne Park. After a challenging start to 2025, including her coach’s suspension, Rybakina capped a strong year by winning the WTA Finals in November and now begins 2026 with a major triumph.
The Match Unfolds
Rybakina’s win featured a dramatic third-set comeback, sealed with an ace against her frequent rival, who had defeated her in the 2023 final here. The 26-year-old, born in Moscow but representing Kazakhstan, maintained her signature composure despite intense pressure.
“The heart rate was definitely beating too fast. Even maybe my face didn’t show, but inside it was a lot of emotions,” Rybakina said of her clinical finish. She emphasized the need to stay sharp after a tense semifinal against Jessica Pegula, where she required nearly 30 minutes to convert her first match point.
Sabalenka, the defending champion from 2023 and 2024, unleashed powerful shots but faltered in key moments. “I was 3-0 in the third set. I lost my focus and it was 3-4,” she reflected post-match. “She did a better job in handling that pressure moment, that’s for sure.”
Sabalenka added, “Maybe I should have tried to be more aggressive on my serve, knowing that I have a break and put pressure on her. But she played incredible. She made some winners. I made a couple of unforced errors.” She expressed regret over the quick shift in momentum: “Of course, I have regrets… you lead 3-0 and then it felt like in a few seconds it was 3-4 and I was down a break. So it was very fast. Great tennis from her. Maybe not so smart for me.”
Evert’s On-Air Slip-Up
During the broadcast, Evert discussed Rybakina’s subdued celebrations, noting her businesslike demeanor at her 2022 Wimbledon win. “The first time she won a major at Wimbledon, it was very businesslike and there was really no emotion,” Evert observed. “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.”
The commentary shifted when Evert analyzed Sabalenka’s style: “But listen, Ariana, Aryna, Ariana Grande,” she said, tripping over the name before correcting herself. “Aryna Sabalenka is used to having every match on her racket, and she finally came up against an opponent who plays the same way.”
Tennis enthusiasts quickly spotted the mix-up online, with one viewer asking, “Did Chris Evert really call Aryna Sabalenka, Ariana Grande?” Another replied, “No, she was kidding after she mispronounced Aryna’s first name.” A third added, “Oh, I thought it was gonna be a total slip-up. That was a pretty funny little bit of self-deprecation.”
Rybakina’s low-key reaction—a small fist pump, quick embrace, nod to the umpire, and wave to the crowd—mirrored her steady tournament run, contrasting the high-stakes drama of the final.
