"Special thank you to my boyfriends" - Aryna Sabalenka's hilarious slip up-sends boyfriend Georgios Frangulis in splits post Cincinnati Open title win
Aryna Sabalenka claimed the 2024 Cincinnati Open title, defeating Jessica Pegula in the final. The Belarusian held off her opponent for a 6-3, 7-5 victory.
During the trophy presentation ceremony, Sabalenka expressed her gratitude to her team. It was, however, her hilarious gaffe that stole the spotlight.
While thanking her boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis, during her speech, Sabalenka inadvertently referred to him as "boyfriends.” She was quick to correct herself and jokingly laid the blame on her “terrible English." However, the 26-year-old's blunder left the Cincinnati Open crowd and Frangulis in splits.
"Special thank you to my boyfriends... boyfriend, I said 'boyfriends' oh my god, that's my terrible English guys. Thank you to my boyfriend for keeping me happy everyday, thank you," Aryna Sabalenka joked
Sabalenka continued by thanking her entire team for their unwavering support, acknowledging their tireless efforts to help her improve despite facing numerous challenges.
"Last but not the least, I want to thank my team, um, yeah, you guys we've been through a lot but we never stop working, never stop improving and I'm really to have you by my side," the Belarussian said.
"We're gonna have many more battles" - Aryna Sabalenka to Jessica Pegula after Cincinnati Open final
Aryna Sabalenka also heaped praise on her opponent, Jessica Pegula, lauding her for reaching back-to-back WTA 1000 finals in Toronto and Cincinnati. Sabalenka praised Pegula for her exceptional form in recent weeks and expressed her eagerness to face her in many more "battles" in the future.
"Giving speeches are definitely not my superpower but I'll try my best, of course, first of all Jessica. Thank you so much for a great match and really happy to see you back at your top level, you did a really great job in the last couple of weeks, a title, a final, that's really it's really an achievement," Sabalenka said.
"I want to congratulate to you and your team on an incredible, incredible week and as you said, I'm pretty sure we're gonna have many more battles in the future," she added.
Sabalenka defeated the likes of World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, Elina Svitolina, and Liudmila Samsonova en-route to the Cincinnati Open title. She will now turn her attention to the US Open, where she aims to defend her runner-up finish from last year.