An ESPN reporter accidentally called tennis pro Coco Gauff by the name “Simone” in an awkward on-air slip-up as gymnastics legend Simone Biles sat nearby at the US Open — causing social media to pounce.
“Simone, this match had it all…” ESPN reporter Katie George told the 21-year-old French Open champ during an interview after she beat Croatia’s Donna Vekic Thursday.
The sports commentator had just interviewed Biles, who was seated a few rows away at the tournament, when she made the sports world error — sparking backlash online.
Observers on X called the mistake “cringy” and “hilariously awkward”
“Did that interviewer lady just call Coco Gauff “Simone” or was I hearing things???” one commenter wrote.
“Simone’s got tennis skills?? Wait…” another quipped.
Gauff moved past the mistake and instead thanked Biles, who is a close friend, for inspiring her comeback, saying, “She helped me pull it out.”
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