World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka entertained fans with a light and cheerful moment after her quarterfinal victory at the 2026 Australian Open. On Tuesday, Sabalenka needed just one hour and 29 minutes to beat Iva Jovic 6-3, 6-0 and secure a place in the semifinals.
After the match, the on-court presenter mentioned Sabalenka’s shared birthday with Carlos Alcaraz. Both stars were born on May 5. The presenter then asked what gift Sabalenka would give Alcaraz and what she would like in return.
“I have a question, and I think this should become a tradition. If you were to exchange gifts, what would you give Carlos, and what would you like to receive from him?” the presenter asked.
Sabalenka answered with a smile and referred to their viral moment from last year. She said she would gift Alcaraz a TikTok dance and hoped to get a simple “yes” in return.
“What would I give him? I’d probably offer him a TikTok dance. And what would I like in return? A ‘yes’ as the answer. So now we just have to get Carlos to dance. I made him do it last year, so I feel like I can do it again,” Sabalenka said.
The exchange brought a fun break from the intense competition in Melbourne, where both players remain strong contenders for the title.
Viral US Open Moment That Won Fans Over
Sabalenka and Alcaraz first shared a playful off-court moment after their wins at the 2025 US Open. Sabalenka posted a TikTok video of the two dancing together while holding their trophies at Flushing Meadows.
The video highlighted their special connection as both “birthday twins” and “US Open trophy twins.” It quickly went viral and became a fan favourite across social media platforms.
Sabalenka’s Dominant Australian Open Run
At the Australian Open, Sabalenka has continued her powerful form. She has moved through the draw without dropping a single set. After winning comfortably in the early rounds, she defeated 29th seed Iva Jovic to reach the semifinals.
This victory marked Sabalenka’s fourth straight Australian Open semifinal appearance. It also extended her perfect 10-0 record in 2026. She now remains on track to win her third Australian Open title after lifting the trophy in 2023 and 2024.
Alcaraz Closes In on Historic Milestone
Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz has also impressed in Melbourne as he chases his first Australian Open title. The top seed produced a strong quarterfinal performance, defeating home favourite Alex de Minaur 7-5, 6-2, 6-1 to reach the semifinals.
Already a six-time Grand Slam champion, Alcaraz now stands just two wins away from completing a career Grand Slam. If he succeeds, he will become the youngest player in history to achieve the milestone, underlining his growing dominance on the sport’s biggest stage.