Tennis: 'Congratulations' - Djokovic's sponsor jumps the gun in promo gaffe

The gaffe was quickly rectified. PHOTOS: TWITTER

MELBOURNE (AFP) - Novak Djokovic may be unbeaten in Australian Open finals, but a sponsor seemed to think he has already won this year's - before he has even played it.

Ahead of the eight-time champion's clash with Daniil Medvedev on Sunday (Feb 21), his racket sponsor Head offered its congratulations in a promotional e-mail.

"Congratulations Novak," said the e-mail, 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 e-mail said.

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

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.

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