Revealed: The Australian Open stars whose names you've been saying incorrectly, from Iga Swiatek to Carlos Alcaraz

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Revealed: The Australian Open stars whose names you've been saying incorrectly, from Iga Swiatek to Carlos Alcaraz
Published: Jan, 17 2025 06:18

Remembering all of your favourite tennis stars can be challenging, with players coming from all over the world to compete in the Australian Open. It is only natural that commentators and fans will get it wrong occasionally, especially with many Brits, Americans and Aussies finding eastern European names a challenge to pronounce.

 [Carlos Alcaraz was in good touch when he outclassed Nuno Borges to move into the fourth round of the Australian Open]
Image Credit: Mail Online [Carlos Alcaraz was in good touch when he outclassed Nuno Borges to move into the fourth round of the Australian Open]

As a result, there are some big names that people have been saying incorrectly, such as Poland's Iga Swiatek. Thankfully for fans, the players themselves have outlined the correct way to say their names on the ATP and WTA websites. Below are some of the superstars competing at Melbourne Park you might be shocked to learn you have been saying wrong, sometimes for years.

 [Think you know how to say Novak Djokovic like a Serbian? Guess again - the grand slam legend (pictured, at Melbourne Park) has warned his name is difficult to get right]
Image Credit: Mail Online [Think you know how to say Novak Djokovic like a Serbian? Guess again - the grand slam legend (pictured, at Melbourne Park) has warned his name is difficult to get right]

And yes, some will shock you. Iga Swiatek of Poland has grown accustomed to people mispronouncing her surname. Iga Swiatek. She has five grand slam titles to her name - but people are still getting Polish sensation Iga Swiatek's name wrong. The 23-year-old previously set the record straight, and the result is not quite as straightforward as you might think.

 [Here is a hint on how to say Danish star Holger Rune's last name properly: it does not rhyme with 'tune']
Image Credit: Mail Online [Here is a hint on how to say Danish star Holger Rune's last name properly: it does not rhyme with 'tune']

There are actually two different ways to say her surname, the traditional Polish way [Słitek], or the English way. That hurts, Iga 🥲@iga_swiatek #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/1YtKFuxBhV. She is happy with either, although in her words 'Polish is better.'. In English, her surname is commonly pronounced SVIER-TEK.

 [Naomi Osaka pulled out of the Australian Open two years ago after falling pregnant - but is back in 2025]
Image Credit: Mail Online [Naomi Osaka pulled out of the Australian Open two years ago after falling pregnant - but is back in 2025]

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