MELBOURNE — The Australian Open is renowned for its high-octane tennis and electric atmosphere, but sometimes the drama extends beyond the baseline. During a recent broadcast, a television gaffe inadvertently thrust Olga Danilovic, the girlfriend of football superstar Erling Haaland, into an awkward spotlight, highlighting the intense scrutiny that comes with dating one of the world's most famous athletes.
The incident occurred during a tense moment in Danilovic's first-round qualifying match against American player McCartney Kessler. As the Serbian player fought for a spot in the main draw, the television feed on ESPN cut to a reaction shot of her in the player's box. The on-screen graphic, however, did not identify her by her own considerable achievements as a WTA title winner. Instead, the caption simply read: "Erling Haaland's Girlfriend." The moment was brief but immediately sparked a wave of criticism from viewers and commentators online.
The Backlash and Broader Conversation
Social media platforms lit up with fans and fellow athletes decrying the caption as reductive and disrespectful. Many argued that Danilovic, a 23-year-old professional who has been ranked as high as World No. 93 and won a WTA title in 2021, deserved to be recognized for her own career, not just her romantic association. Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg posted on X (formerly Twitter), "Olga Danilovic is a WTA title winner and a very good player in her own right. She deserves better than this."
The gaffe tapped into a long-standing and sensitive issue in sports broadcasting, where female athletes and the partners of male stars are often defined by their relationships rather than their own merits. This incident was particularly jarring because it happened during her own professional competition. As one fan pointed out, "She's literally playing in the match. How do you not use her name?"
In response to the growing criticism, an ESPN spokesperson issued a statement acknowledging the error: "During our Australian Open coverage, a graphic incorrectly identified Olga Danilovic. We apologize for the mistake. She is an accomplished professional tennis player, and we have addressed it with our production team." The network confirmed that the graphic was a production error and not the intended identification for the shot.
Who is Olga Danilovic?
For those who follow tennis closely, Danilovic is far from an unknown entity riding on a famous partner's coattails. She is a established professional with a promising career:
- Professional Debut & Title: She turned professional in 2017 and announced her arrival in stunning fashion by winning the 2018 Moscow River Cup as a lucky loser, becoming the first player born in the 2000s to win a WTA title.
- Representation: A proud representative of Serbia, she has been a key part of the national Billie Jean King Cup team.
- Playing Style: Known for her powerful left-handed game, fighting spirit, and emotional on-court presence.
- Recent Form: She has been working her way back from injury and showed strong form in 2023, pushing top players like Aryna Sabalenka to three sets.
Her relationship with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, which went public in mid-2023, undoubtedly amplified her global profile. The pair are often seen supporting each other at major events, with Haaland attending tennis tournaments and Danilovic present at Etihad Stadium for Premier League matches.
A Pattern of Problematic Portrayals
Unfortunately, the ESPN graphic is not an isolated incident. It reflects a persistent trend in media where women connected to famous men are framed primarily through that connection. This happens frequently in tennis, where players like Stefanos Tsitsipas's girlfriend, Paula Badosa (a fellow top player), or Novak Djokovic's wife, Jelena Djokovic (a successful businesswoman), have also had their own accomplishments overshadowed in certain media narratives. The Danilovic incident was stark because it occurred in the context of her own workplace and competition, reducing her identity at the very moment she was showcasing it.
The public reaction suggests a shifting expectation from audiences. There is a growing demand for media, especially sports broadcasters, to portray athletes—particularly women—with the respect and context their careers warrant. As sports broadcaster Catherine Whitaker noted in a discussion about the event, "The immediate and unified backlash to that graphic is actually a positive sign. It shows people notice, they care, and they expect better."
Danilovic's Response and Moving Forward
Notably, Olga Danilovic herself handled the situation with grace and focus. She did not publicly comment on the graphic during the tournament, choosing instead to let her racket do the talking. This professionalism paid off, as she successfully battled through three rounds of qualifying to earn a spot in the Australian Open main draw. In her first-round match, she faced another tough opponent in Petra Martic and, despite a valiant effort, fell in three sets.
Her performance in Melbourne, fighting through the qualifying gauntlet after the off-court distraction, demonstrated the resilience and skill that truly define her. It served as the most powerful rebuttal to the reductive graphic. She proved, on the court, that she is a main-draw caliber tennis player first and foremost.
Conclusion: More Than a Caption
The television gaffe involving Olga Danilovic was more than just a simple production error; it was a microcosm of a larger issue in sports media. While her relationship with Erling Haaland is a part of her life story, the incident at the Australian Open served as a reminder that an athlete's identity should never be collapsed into a single personal association. The swift apology from ESPN and the vocal criticism from the public indicate a growing intolerance for such oversights. Ultimately, Danilovic's response—qualifying for the main draw and competing fiercely—provided the perfect correction, reminding the world that she is, and always has been, Olga Danilovic: professional tennis player.