World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka beat Elena Rybakina to win a first Indian Wells title on Sunday, only for the on-court announcer to badly botch her name.
The Belarussian star – a four-time Grand Slam champion – rallied to secure a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6) victory at the prestigious BNP Paribas Open in the California desert.
Moments later, the world No 1 was introduced to the crowd for the trophy ceremony. But the man on the microphone referred to her as ‘Aryna Sa-blanka.’
A beaming Sabalenka did not seem too bothered by the gaffe as she walked up to receive the trophy at Indian Wells.
The 27-year-old had been a runner-up twice at the WTA 1000 tournament, which is often referred to as tennis’ fifth major.
She fell short in both 2023 and 2025 before finally securing a first title on Sunday.
World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka beat Elena Rybakina to win a first Indian Wells title on Sunday
Sabalenka fell short in both 2023 and 2025 before finally securing a first title on Sunday
On a sweltering afternoon in the California desert, where temperatures soared into the 90s, Sabalenka secured victory with a big serve that Rybakina hit long.
The 27-year-old had earlier squandered a chance to close out the third set when she was broken at 5-4. Rybakina then found herself with a championship point in the tiebreak, only for Sabalenka to find a backhand winner.
This was the 16th meeting between these two players, with Sabalenka now holding a 9-7 advantage.
Rybakina of Kazakhstan beat Sabalenka at the 2025 WTA Finals championship and the Australian Open two months ago. She also edged Sabalenka in the finals at Indian Wells in 2023.
‘What a day,’ Sabalenka said after the match.
In the men’s final later Sunday, Daniil Medvedev faces Jannik Sinner, who has won eight of his last nine matches against the Russian.
