Sabalenka and Alcaraz were doing an interview on the TODAY show.
After a fortnight of nail-biting contests and high intensity tennis, Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz were crowned champions at the US Open 2025. The two superstars are now the respective World No. 1s of the WTA and ATP circuits. While the Belarusian managed to fend off the threat of Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, 22-year-old Carlitos dethroned Jannik Sinner to be at the helm. However, Sabalenka seemingly hadn’t digested this fact after the tournament.
It was a record-breaking week for Sabalenka, who became the first woman since Serena Williams to retain the US Open women’s championship. The 27-year-old powered past Amanda Anisimova 6-3 7-6(3) in a summit clash that lasted over an hour and a half. She is now a four-time Grand Slam champion, and will head into the last phase of 2025 with massive confidence. Naturally, it was a night full of champagne, celebrations, and everything in between for the tigress.
Alcaraz faced rival Jannik Sinner on Sunday, and managed to exact revenge for the 2025 Wimbledon Championships final. The Italian needed to defend his points in New York in order to remain atop the rankings; however, Alcaraz had other ideas. The Spaniard produced arguably the best serving performance at a US Open final in recent times, and conquered the Sinner challenge in four sets. Since 1978, Alcaraz is the first player to win multiple Grand Slams on all three surfaces before turning 23.
In the aftermath of their terrific triumphs, Sabalenka and Alcaraz appeared on NBC’s TODAY show. The duo discussed their journey through the 2025 campaign, what the victory over the weekend means to them, and much more. But in a hilarious moment that left her red-faced, Aryna Sabalenka nearly called Carlos Alcaraz as Jannik Sinner instead. It was a hilarious mishap that will be remembered as an iconic live television moment for years to come.
“By the way, I have a Tik-Tok to do with Jan..” said the women’s World No. 1, before immediately realizing what she had just done. Stunned by her own mix-up, she proceeded to correct herself – “Carlos!” Alcaraz, meanwhile, hilariously got up and faked walking out of the interview, before returning to his seat. “It’s nine in the morning, no worries okay? It’s alright, it’s all good,” he said. As Sabalenka reflected on what had unfolded, Alcaraz said, “Okay I didn’t hear anything, don’t worry at all!”
Alcaraz and Sabalenka will now enter the home stretch of the 2025 season. The new men’s No. 1 won the China Open trophy last year, defeating Sinner in the title determinant. He reached the QFs in Shanghai, Round of 16 in Paris and got eliminated in the Group Stage of the ATP Finals. On the other hand, Sabalenka has quarterfinalist points to defend at the China Open, before attempting to retain her crown in Wuhan.
(Image Credits: Robert Deutsch, Imagn Images)
