Football icon’s tennis star girlfriend caught up in TV gaffe | Tennis | Sport

Australian Open star Olga Danilovic found herself at the centre of a television broadcaster’s gaffe after earning her place in the second round in Melbourne. Danilovic dispatched tennis icon Venus Williams in her opening match to line up a clash with another American superstar in Coco Gauff.

But in providing an update for that match and the other upcoming games Down Under, one channel was left in hot water after making an error. Danilovic, the girlfriend of legendary Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak, was advertised for her match with third seed Guaff but saw her name matched with the flag and abbreviation for Slovenia, instead of her native Serbia.

The graphical error caused some frustration among fans of the world number 69. Curiously, Oblak does originate from Slovenia.

Hopefully, Danilovic, 24, will not have been too disheartened by the faux pas as she prepares to upset the odds against Gauff.

It was a significant moment for the Serb to overcome Williams in Melbourne. Following her 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 admitted she was nervous to take on a legend.

She said: “When we were walking there, you know, I mean, I told myself before the match I really want to take this moment and I cannot say enjoy, because it’s tough to enjoy at the moment on court, but you know, these things don’t happen every day.

“Playing against Venus Williams is something that I cannot take for granted, but there was a lot of nerves. I mean, on the 4-0 [in the third set], I just said to myself, okay, just play, you know, just take everything out and just play, point by point.

“And I’m very happy I managed to get this one, but it was such a pleasure playing such a legend.”

Danilovic has also progressed in the doubles. Along with her partner Anastasija Potapova. she defeated Irina Simanovic and Solana Sierra in the first round with a score of 6-3, 3-6, 6-0.

Boyfriend and Atletico star Oblak has often been seen cheering Danilovic on at events such as the French Open since their relationship was made public in 2023, but is unlikely to attend in Australia as the La Liga season continues. Danilovic most recently posted pictures of the two celebrating New Year’s Eve together.

More celebrations will be in order if she can progress past Gauff, who earned her place in round two with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan. The US player has already made some specific preparations.

Gauff said: “I did practice with Alexandra Eala earlier so, hopefully that practice will help me in tomorrow’s match playing with a lefty…”

“I told myself to accelerate on my serve more,” she added. “And I’ll try to start doing that a little bit quicker for my next match.”