Sabalenka's on-air slip prompts awkward moment with Alcaraz after US Open celebrations

Aryna Sabalenka created an awkward moment on live television Monday when she stumbled over a name while appearing alongside Carlos Alcaraz on the Today show to mark their US Open victories.

The world No. 1, fresh from defending her US Open crown by beating Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6, and Alcaraz, who claimed his second US Open title with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Jannik Sinner, were promoting their Grand Slam successes when the exchange occurred. Sabalenka has endured several near-misses this season before the win, having lost in the Australian Open and French Open finals and falling to Anisimova in the Wimbledon semifinals, before returning to lift the trophy in New York.

During a light-hearted segment about social media, Sabalenka was describing TikTok dances she records with her support team when she began to refer to Alcaraz's rival. She said: “By the way, I had a TikTok to do with Jan… er Jan.” Realising she had nearly said the name Jannik, Sabalenka put her hand on Alcaraz’s shoulder as the hosts reacted with “ohhh, woah, woah, woah.” Alcaraz briefly rose with his trophy as if to leave, prompting Sabalenka to cover her mouth and apologise: “Carlos, man I’m sorry.”

The pair and the studio soon broke into laughter. Sabalenka called the slip “the worst failure I have ever had in my life” and asked whether the segment could be cut, while Alcaraz said he “didn’t hear anything.” Presenters later handed the champions glasses of champagne, at which point Sabalenka deliberately said, “cheers Carlos Alcaraz.”

Sabalenka later posted the TikTok she referenced, a playful clip in which she and Alcaraz mime the viral song “Twin Where Have You Been” while holding their trophies and noting they share a birthday. Her social post read: “Birthday twin and @usopen trophy twin, May 5th must be a really lucky birthday to have…” Alcaraz replied to the social post with a message saying, “I still don’t know what I did,” underscoring the light-hearted tone the two champions took after the on-air slip.

Both players discussed elements of their seasons on the show. Sabalenka spoke about rebounding from earlier Grand Slam defeats to reclaim the title she had won the previous year, becoming the first woman to defend the US Open crown since Serena Williams in 2014. Alcaraz was asked about his rivalry with Sinner after regaining the world No. 1 ranking; their recent results mean the two have accounted for the last eight men’s Grand Slam titles between them.

The incident drew attention largely because of the live setting and the profiles of the players involved, but it concluded with shared laughter and the pair embracing the social-media moment by posting the TikTok clip of their celebratory dance.

Both champions remain on a schedule of public appearances in the U.S. following the tournament as they transition back to the ATP and WTA calendars; neither indicated the television gaffe would have any bearing on their on-court plans.