Sebastian Korda spotted an interviewer’s on-air mix-up and couldn’t resist leaning into the moment with a perfectly timed joke.
On Saturday, February 21, Korda faced Flavio Cobolli at the Delray Beach Open in Florida.
The 25-year-old American came through with a 7-6 (7-1), 6-1 win, extending his head-to-head record by making it three victories from three against the 23-year-old Italian.
After the match, interviewer Michelle Yu tried to pin down what has helped Korda enjoy so much success in the matchup.
But while asking the question, Yu stumbled over her words and accidentally said: “Congratulations, you’ve played Flavio three times and you have had sex – success – with him all three times…”
The slip immediately drew visible reactions, including from Yu, who tried to hold back a laugh as she realised what she’d just said.
She quickly corrected herself and followed up with: “Why is it that you’ve had such success again, Sebastian?”
Korda, though, wasn’t about to let the moment pass without having some fun.
Laughing along, he replied: “He’s a good looking guy, so you know.”
The exchange quickly circulated online, with one user on X saying: “Sebi Korda literally deserves an Oscar for that recovery.”
Another posted: “So funny. They both handled it well. Actually made me like Korda for the first time. Showed some personality!”
A third added: “I had to rewind to make sure I heard that correctly! Nice recovery Seb!! He carried on like a champ and didn’t embarrass her.”
The jokes also spilled over onto Instagram, where one commenter wrote: “‘Heated Rivalry’: Tennis Edition.”
Sebastian Korda after beating Flavio Cobolli in Delray Beach
“Sebastian congratulations. You’ve played Flavio 3 times. And you’ve had sex… success with him 3 times…”
Sebi: “He’s a good looking guy so, you know”
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 21, 2026
“He handled that slip up beautifully,” another added.
And one more concluded: “This is top notch content.”
Korda followed up the next day with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Tommy Paul.
Reflecting on the title afterwards, he said, as quoted by Tennis World USA: “I’ve lost a lot of finals, now to get one here in Delray, where I made my first ATP final, so it’s kind of like a full circle [moment], so I’m just happy.”
Looking further ahead, he added: “Just hoping for some good health, that’s all I ask for,”
Korda had been forced to shut down the remainder of last season due to a stress fracture in his right shin.
He has now climbed to number 40 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.
After a week that showcased both his tennis and his timing, he’s carrying plenty of momentum—on the court and in the spotlight.