Awkward moment Aus Open star Victoria Azarenka gets wheelchair tennis player Dylan Alcott’s name wrong during glowing live TV tribute
- Victoria Azarenka hailed wheelchair tennis star Dylan Alcott as inspiration
- Most fans overlooked she mistakenly called retiring Aussie legend Dylan Scott
- Australian Open is Alcott’s final tournament as he vies for eighth straight title
- Former Australian Open champ Azarenka in fourth round for first time since 2016
Tennis star Victoria Azarenka has made an on-camera blunder while paying an otherwise perfect tribute to one of Australia’s most successful champions on the court.
The 24th seed hailed retiring wheelchair champion Dylan Alcott as an inspiration after cruising to a straight sets victory against 15th seed Elina Svitolina in the third round of the Australian Open on Friday.
Alcott hopes to win his eighth consecutive Australian Open title at the Melbourne grand slam in what will be his last tournament.
There was just one thing wrong with Azarenka’s glowing praise of the 15-time grand slam singles winner during her post-match interview.
Dylan Alcott (pictured) was hailed as an inspiration by top tennis player Victoria Azarenka
‘I just want to give a shout out to Dylan Scott, because he has been my inspiration for a while,’ the said.
‘I’m so proud how much involvement there is for him in Australia and those guys, the wheelchair tennis, deserve so much recognition.
‘I just hope you guys come out and watch them because they are way better than us. That’s just my opinion.
‘And I know it’s his last tournament and I can’t wait to see what he does next because he’s such an amazing personality, what a story, the resilience, the determination, he inspires me a lot.’
Viewers were quick to pick up on the two time Australian Open winner and former women’s would number one’s mistake.
‘Victoria Azarenka with lovely words about being inspired by Dylan Alcott… except she called him Dylan Scott,’ one tweeted.
Alcott appeared to have forgiven Azarenka for getting his name wrong.
‘@vika7 This made me cry! You are such a legend. Appreciate your words so much,’ he later captioned edited footage of her tribute on Twitter.
Most viewers overlooked the fact Victoria Azarenka (pictured on Friday) called Alcott Dylan Scott by mistake
Most tennis fans also overlooked the mistake.
‘She’s doing all the right thing, on and off court in this event. A true legend,’ one wrote.
Alcott will take on Niels Vink in the first round of the quad wheelchair men’s singles on Sunday after the draw was released on Friday.
He hopes the event would be ‘a bloody celebration’ of ‘how lucky I’ve been’.
“The quality of all the tennis players here is unbelievable. I’m excited to see what happens here after [I retire]’ Alcott said.
He has 23 grand slam titles overall, including 15 singles titles and eight doubles titles, along with four Paralympic gold medals in wheelchair tennis and basketball.
Alcott is also is the running to be named Australian of Year next Tuesday night.
Dylan Alcott thanked Azarenka for her almost-perfect tribute to him
The Australian Open will be last time fans will see Dylan Alcott (pictured right with partner Chantelle) in action
Azarenka stormed into the final 16 of the women’s draw for the first time in six years.
She will need to overcome French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova on Sunday to book a quarter final spot next week.
Azarenka has accompanied by her five-year-old son Leo at her post-match press conference.
‘Not everyone has the opportunity to bring their kids to work and for my son to be inspired by what I do is priceless for me,’ she said.
‘I don’t like to word role model as I hate the expectation from people but I try to do the best I can.’
‘My son helps me to be better so I’m grateful for that.’
Victoria Azarenka (pictured with son Leo) is through to the fourth round of the Australian Open
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