Abstract: This study defines the stance-taking and identity construction of the sports commentators from the pragmatic perspective. Based on a case study of women singles tennis match of Australian Great Slam of 2013, it is found that three factors including social macro environment(the requirement of audience), the media requirement and individual personality greatly affect the stance-taking and identity construction. The commentators employ various linguistic means and terms to take stances and construct identity following the accommodation theory and triangle theory of Du Bois.

Key words: pragmatics, commentator, stancetaking, identity construction, Australia Open