Aryna Sabalenka Apologizes After Hilarious Mix-Up in Joint Interview with Carlos Alcaraz**
In a lighthearted moment that quickly went viral, Aryna Sabalenka halted a joint interview with fellow US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz on NBC’s *Today Show* on September 8, 2025, after mistakenly referring to him as “Jannik,” the first name of his rival, Jannik Sinner. The Belarusian world No. 1, fresh off defending her US Open title, issued an immediate apology, sparking laughter and showcasing the camaraderie between the two tennis superstars.
The Viral Gaffe
Sabalenka and Alcaraz, both 2025 US Open champions, appeared together on the *Today Show* to celebrate their victories—Sabalenka over Amanda Anisimova in the women’s final (6-3, 7-6) and Alcaraz over Sinner in the men’s final (6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4). During a fun segment discussing her social media presence, Sabalenka spoke about her love for TikTok dances despite her self-admitted lack of skill. “I’m terrible at dancing! I always pick the easiest moves just so I look OK,” she said, before adding, “Anyway, I have a TikTok to do with Jann…”
Realizing her mistake mid-sentence, Sabalenka paused, placed her hand on Alcaraz’s shoulder, and exclaimed, “Carlos! I’m so sorry. Never mind, no-one saw me!” The studio erupted in laughter as Alcaraz, feigning offense, jokingly stood up with his trophy as if to leave the set. Sabalenka, mortified but laughing, pleaded, “Can we cut it, can we cut it?” before calling the slip-up “the worst offense I’ve ever had in my life.” Alcaraz, ever gracious, brushed it off, saying, “It’s nine in the morning, don’t worry. It’s all good. I didn’t hear anything.”
The moment was later celebrated with a champagne toast, during which Sabalenka made a point to say, “Cheers, Carlos Alcaraz,” ensuring no further mix-ups. The duo’s chemistry shone through, with Sabalenka later sharing a TikTok video featuring both players dancing with their US Open trophies to Muni Long’s viral track *Made for Me*, captioned, “Birthday twin and @usopen trophy twin, May 5th must be a really lucky birthday…”
Context of the Moment
Sabalenka’s gaffe came at a time when both she and Alcaraz were riding high. Sabalenka, 27, became the first woman since Serena Williams (2012-2014) to defend her US Open title, solidifying her dominance as world No. 1. Alcaraz, 22, reclaimed the top men’s ranking with his victory over Sinner, marking his sixth Grand Slam title. The mix-up was likely influenced by the context of Alcaraz’s final against Sinner, whom Sabalenka had also faced in media rounds the previous year after their respective Australian and US Open wins.
The lighthearted error added a human touch to their post-tournament media blitz, which included stops at talk shows and sponsor events. Fans on social media loved the moment, with one commenting, “He tried to leave so fast!” and another joking, “Can’t believe he missed the opportunity to call her Iga,” referencing Sabalenka’s rival Iga Swiatek.
Sabalenka’s History with Apologies
This wasn’t Sabalenka’s first public apology in 2025. Earlier in the year, she faced criticism for “unprofessional” comments after losing to Coco Gauff in the French Open final, where she attributed her defeat to her own errors rather than Gauff’s skill. Sabalenka later issued a private apology to Gauff and a public statement, acknowledging her emotional lapse and expressing respect for her opponent. The *Today Show* incident, however, was far less controversial, with Sabalenka’s quick apology and Alcaraz’s good-natured response turning it into a feel-good moment.
Looking Ahead
Sabalenka and Alcaraz’s joint appearance highlighted their status as tennis’s leading lights. Sabalenka, with four Grand Slam titles and an 11-month reign as world No. 1, is set to dominate the women’s game, while Alcaraz’s return to No. 1 signals his intent to lead the men’s tour. Their planned TikTok collaboration, teased during the interview, promises more off-court entertainment, with fans eager to see their playful dynamic continue.
As Sabalenka prepares for the Asian swing, including the WTA 1000 China Open starting September 24, 2025, and Alcaraz rests after withdrawing from the Davis Cup, their *Today Show* moment will remain a memorable highlight of their 2025 US Open triumphs. It’s a reminder that even at the pinnacle of their sport, these champions remain relatable, human, and ready to laugh at themselves.
*Sources: Express (web:0,13), Tennis365 (web:1), Sportbible (web:2), Free Press Journal (web:3), Tennisuptodate (web:4), Tennis.com (web:8), Daily Mail (web:9), WTA Tennis (web:17), The Express US (web:24), TheTennisLetter (post:6).*
