Daily Dose of Social Media as Sabalenka gets 'blessed' by Nadal, Djokovic receives birthday cake and Schwartzman fights back tears

ATP
Wednesday, 22 May 2024 at 23:23
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As the French Open heads towards taking place, the top names are in Paris training ahead of the second Grand Slam of the season. In our Daily Dose of Social Media for Wednesday, we take a look at the moments you may have missed from social media over the past day.

Sabalenka gets 'blessed to win' by Rafael Nadal

Aryna Sabalenka was out training on court and as was Rafael Nadal on Wednesday with the duo bumping into each other. The Spanish legend touched the World No.2's shoulder in walking past.

The Sabalenka fan account quipped that she was blessed to win. The World No.2 responded saying 'ahahahah let's see' with laughing emojis and fingers crossed as she hope some of the luck of the 14-time champion rubs off.

Novak Djokovic opens Geneva campaign with victory and a birthday cake

Novak Djokovic sealed a 6-3, 6-3 win over Yannick Hanfmann to begin his Geneva Open campaign on his 37th birthday. He also received a birthday cake post match and a happy birthday.

Djokovic though showed his selfless side by sharing the cake with some of the ball kids and other people around the court. Maybe it was to stick to an athlete diet or maybe it was Djokovic showing his selfless side first. He will continue his Geneva campaign tomorrow though so no rest for the wicked.

Schwartzman and Thiem retire in teary Roland Garros farewells

Two of the greats who have starred at Roland Garros over the years said their farewells on Wednesday in the form of Diego Schwartzman and Dominic Thiem. Both lost in qualifying and both received farewells on the court.

Schwartzman in particular was fighting back tears in his speech. He has practiced with Thiem this week and seems to making the most of his last few months in the sport alongside the Austrian. While Thiem received a trophy on court from Amelie Mauresmo who is tournament director.

Albeit his ceremony saw a lot of comments from people still showing their dismay at the perceived robbery when it came to his lack of wildcard for the tournament.

Icon settings for Sabalenka and Rybakina

Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina began their practice on court at Roland Garros and they faced off with the two rivals and also friends showing their fun side also.

Walking onto court, Sabalenka who doesn't miss a moment to show her humorous side pulled a face at the camera. They then practiced and took a photo on BeReal afterwards which is the network that shows two views of a photo with a selfie between the pair.

That nicety though will soon cease with the duo likely to be rivals in the hunt for Iga Swiatek's Roland Garros crown.

Alcaraz still has forearm strapped but arrives at Roland Garros

Carlos Alcaraz took to the court today for practice with Stefanos Tsitsipas at Roland Garros as both himself and Jannik Sinner who also played on Wednesday looked to alleviate injury fears.

Alcaraz looked to have a real spring in his step. But seemingly out of precaution more than anything else, he still had his forearm covered albeit with a long sleeve top rolled down on one side. He has not been right since Monte-Carlo and has only played Madrid in the intervening time. But will look to find his race back to fitness in time for Roland Garros. His draw fate will be confirmed like others tomorrow.

Roger Federer is in Paris...but to promote Uniqlo

A site that was well seen in years gone by as Roger Federer is in Paris. But he isn't there to play tennis at Roland Garros. He was with the next generation teaching kids how to play tennis with clothing brand Uniqlo.

A long time facet of Federer's image has been the Uniqlo brand and it is one that he continues to be involved in during retirement. If he stays in Paris, could he yet be seen at Roland Garros?

Good news story as Murray and Evans benefit from first in 20 years

Andy Murray and Dan Evans were made to sweat in their pursuit of a spot in the Roland Garros doubles draw. They didn't have a high enough ranking to enter the men's doubles.

So they were relying on a wildcard and what would be a first for the first time in 20 years. But they did receive just that as the FFT gave a kind but also strange doubles wildcard to the duo.

Strange as of course Dominic Thiem didn't receive the same courtesy in singles. But Murray received a wildcard in his return after hip surgery and of course the tournament director is Amelie Mauresmo, his former coach. So likely a favour from friends in his final year.

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