He called Albo WHAT? The American journalist has a great failure when trying to get the name of Anthony Albanese right at the Australian Open.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese became the butt of the joke during one of the funniest incidents at the Australian Open when an American reporter butchered his name on live television.

ESPN host Kris Budden was cruising live from Melbourne Park, reporting on the scandal that erupted around Australian broadcaster Tony Jones, who had to apologize for mocking ten-time champion Novak Djokovic and his fans.

Budden said that the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, had commented on the most important news of the tournament.

But, with a completely straight face, she made a total mess of his name in the process.

“Australian Prime Minister Albert Albanese commented on the situation,” he said.

At least Budden can find solace in the fact that Mr. Albanese's name has been butchered live several times before.

Anthony, not Albert, Albanese enjoys the 2024 Australian Open final with partner Jodie Hayden

Albanese backed Novak Djokovic and said the tennis champion has earned respect

In 2019, The Project host Waleed Aly asked Albanese to set the record straight about the correct way to say it after a clip of a series of identities pronouncing it in different ways.

“(Former LNP minister) Christopher Pyne really got it right in terms of the Italian pronunciation,” Mr Albanese said at the time.

'It's Alban-ay-zey. But you don't say spaghetti bolog-nay-zey, do you? So I'm not too precious about it.

In 2022, then-Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce mispronounced his surname dozens of times during a major speech at the National Press Club.

And in April 2024, ABC journalist Michael Rowland was forced to apologize after tagging an Italian adult film star with the X account name 'Albo' instead of the Prime Minister.

While the ESPN reporter butchered his name, the Prime Minister responded to questions about the Tony Jones and Novak Djokovic furore.

“I'll let that go to the goalkeeper, it's a matter between them, but I think Novak Djokovic is definitely a good tennis player,” Albanese said. “There's no doubt about that.”

'And I think there is room for more respect. I've seen the comments that the station made that, you know, we need more kindness and generosity and respect, across the board. “I think that's what people are looking for.”

ESPN journalist Kris Budden made the unfortunate mistake during a live center from the Australian Open.

Budden, pictured interviewing Australian player Tommy Paul, has been a popular character at the 2025 Australian Open.

The Australian public has been criticized for booing players after double faults and errors during the tournament, while Djokovic was also booed for announcing that he would not be giving a post-match interview.

ABC presenter Hamish McDonald asked the Prime Minister if he objected to Australians booing at the Open.

“Look, I think someone booing a foul is wrong, but yes, Australian fans are fighters and it's a big tournament, the Australian Open,” Mr Albanese responded.

'It's great fun for everyone who watches it around the world. And I want to point out that Australia doesn't have many events that are truly global.

'As much as I love watching the NRL and AFL. They are not global events. “This is an event where the world is watching and Australia is putting on a great tournament.”