When Belarusian tennis champion Aryna Sabalenka took out the Australian Open, sporting fans were left stumped as to why Aussie actor Joel Edgerton presented her the trophy.
Sabalenka pulled off a dominant display on Rod Laver Arena on Saturday night, defeating Zheng Qinwen 6-2, 6-3 to get her hands on the trophy for a second year in a row.
When it came to the presentation, the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup was brought out inside a large Louis Vuitton trophy case handcrafted by the luxury brand’s French artisans.
On one side of the trunk was Australian tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley, and on the other – surprisingly – was Hollywood actor Edgerton.
The Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup was brought out by Australian tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley, and surprisingly Hollywood actor, Joel Edgerton following the women’s final at the Australian Open
Some tennis fans shared their confusion about the actor’s appearance on X, with one speculating the actor had a new film premiering on streaming service Stan, which aired the Australian Open on its channel Stan Sport.
‘Joel Edgerton I like you very much but also why are you here this is weird,’ said another.
‘Joel Edgerton at the tennis?’ another tweeted.
A Tennis Australia spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that Edgerton had been invited to participate in the presentation by Louis Vuitton.
The luxury brand struck a deal with Tennis Australia to present the trophies in specialised cases with a large white V on the front, symbolising ‘Victory’ and ‘Vuitton’.
Hollywood actress Ana de Armas was seen presenting the men’s trophy
For the men’s final, the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup was also brought out in a Louis Vuitton case, and presented by US tennis champ Jim Courier and superstar Ana de Armas.
The Blonde actress is an ambassador for the luxury brand.
But while Edgerton has been spotted at several Louis Vuitton fashion shows, along with his Vogue Editor-in-chief wife Christine Centenera, he is not an ambassador for the label, making his appearance at the AO even more puzzling.
Not everyone was pleased with the event’s partnership with the luxury label and the trophies being encased in the Louis Vuitton trunks.
Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg branding the trophy presentation as ‘unnecessary’.
‘God this Louis Vuitton trophy box is so tacky and unnecessary,’ he wrote.
Edgerton was seen in the crowd alongside Elle Macpherson and her boyfriend Doyle Bramhall
‘Daphne is gorgeous on her own, the best trophy in tennis. Let her be!’
Tennis Australia CEO Craig TIley said: ‘Louis Vuitton is renowned for creating iconic trunks and we are delighted with the stunning hand-crafted custom trunks created for our historic Australian Open trophies.’
‘The Australian Open and Louis Vuitton both share a commitment to unparalleled excellence and innovation.’
