The Australian Open stars’ names you’ve been pronouncing WRONG are revealed – including Rafael Nadal

Remembering all your favorite athletes on the ATP and WTA tennis tours can be challenging, with players coming from all corners of the world to compete in events like the Australian Open.

It’s only natural for commentators and fans to slip up from time to time, especially since many Brits, Americans, and Australians find Eastern European names challenging to pronounce.

However, there are some big names that people have been saying incorrectly for a long time.

Fortunately, the players themselves have recorded the correct way to say their names on the ATP and WTA websites.

Here are some of the superstars you might be surprised to learn you’ve been saying wrong all along…

Rafael Nadal in action during his first round match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament at Melbourne Park

Rafael Nadal

To be fair, the great Nadal has been called Rafa [RAH-FA] for so long that his full name is not used much anymore. However, over time, it has become acceptable for commentators and sports fans to mispronounce his full name Rafael.

Most commentators put a lot of emphasis on the central part of the name, saying RA-FAY-AL, like the famous painter.

But that’s not how the name is pronounced in his native Spanish. The middle part of his name has less emphasis and lacks the ‘ouch’ sound.

At full speed, the difference is nuanced. But the correct way to say Rafael is RA-FAHL, not RA-FAY-EL.

Do you think you know how to say Novak Djokovic as a Serb? Guess again: The Grand Slam legend (pictured practicing at Melbourne Park this week) has warned that his name is hard to guess.

Novak Djokovic

When you’ve won 21 Grand Slams and presided over a period of dominance, you’d think people would get your name right. But the great Djoker constantly has his last name mispronounced by fans and commentators alike.

It’s quite common to pronounce his last name as JOCK-O-VITCH, but that’s incorrect. In the proper Serbian language, his name is pronounced JOE-KO-VITCH.

“It’s not easy to pronounce,” Djokovic said earlier.

“Let’s just say I appreciate the effort people put into pronouncing it correctly.”

Iga Swiatek of Poland is seen in action against Jule Niemeier of Germany during their first round match at the Australian Open on Monday.

Iga Swiatek

She has three Grand Slam titles to her name and has rocketed to world number 1 in the absence of retired Australian superstar Ash Barty, but people still get the name Polish sensation Iga Swiatek wrong.

The 21-year-old recently took to Instagram to set the record straight, and the result isn’t as straightforward as you might think.

There are actually two different ways to say your name, the traditional Polish way.

[Słitek], or English style. She is happy with either one, although in her words ‘Polish is better’.

In English, his last name is commonly pronounced SVIER-TEK or a variation of that. But the full and correct pronunciation of his name is EE-GAH SH-VEON-TICK.

Here’s a hint on how to say Danish teen star Holger Rune’s last name correctly: it doesn’t rhyme with ‘melody’

Rune Holger

Holger Vitus Nødskov Rune has been ranked No. 10 in the world and the Danish star will be looking for a breakout year on tour in 2023. The 19-year-old has enormous potential and is destined to be one of the greats. he weapons to dominate once the likes of Nadal and Djokovic call it quits.

At first glance, its name seems quite easy to pronounce and many say HOL-GAH ROON. However, in correct Danish, he pronounces his last name ROON-EH.

Naomi Osaka Withdrew From Australian Open After Getting Pregnant

noemi osaka

Unfortunately for tennis fans, but happily for her, Osaka was a late skip from the Australian Open due to the fact that she is ready to welcome her first child into the world.

Many might wonder why he would be on a list like this, after all, none of his names seem particularly challenging.

However, numerous fans have pronounced his last name OH-ZARKA, when the correct Japanese pronunciation is OH-SAH-KA.

If you’ve been saying it wrong, don’t feel so bad. It’s part of a common quirk of the English language called intrusive R pronunciation that causes people to naturally and instinctively put an ARR sound between vowels, mostly in two words, but sometimes in two syllables.

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates with the championship trophy after defeating Casper Ruud of Norway to win the US Open men’s singles crown last year.

carlos alcaraz

Another rising young player with a great future and a name people can’t seem to pronounce correctly, Alcaraz may have been ruled out of the Australian Open, but the man dubbed the next Nadal has a great future and already has a Grand Slam title. . to his credit after claiming the 2022 US Open.

Although its name may seem simple, in Spain they say it differently. American and Australian commentators often say his last name AL-CAH-RAZ or AL-CAH-REZ, which seems phonetically correct. But the correct way to say his name is AL-CAH-RATH. Carlos just pronounced himself as if his vehicle had been stolen, CAR LOSS.