61 Across

NYT Daily • August 21, 2025

*Musical appreciation?

Answer:

TONYA

Hint:

Think of a famous skater whose name sounds like a musical term for a single note.

Explanation:

This clue plays on the name "Tonya" by breaking it into "ton" and "ya." "Ton" sounds like "tone," which relates to music, while "ya" is a casual way of saying "you." So, "musical appreciation?" cleverly hints at "tone, ya?"—a pun that leads to the answer TONYA. It’s a lighthearted twist on the name, relying on sound and wordplay.

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