Australian Open: Djokovic sponsor jumps gun in promo gaffe

Novak Djokovic may be unbeaten in Australian Open finals, but a sponsor seemed to think he’s already won this year’s – before he’s even played it.

Ahead of the eight-time champion’s clash with Daniil Medvedev on Sunday, his racquet sponsor HEAD offered its congratulations in a promotional email.

“Congratulations Novak,” said the email, posted on Twitter by tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg, which described Djokovic as a “record-breaking 9 time Australian Open champion”.

The gaffe was quickly rectified.

“Oops – we got ahead of ourselves!” a follow-up email said.

“What we meant to say is… Good luck Novak in the 2021 Australian Open Final.”

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The mistake is perhaps understandable, with top-ranked Djokovic’s eight titles already a record at the Australian Open.

However, Russia’s Medvedev takes a 20-match winning streak into the Melbourne final, where he is seeking his first major title.