Daily Dose of Social Media: Nadal and Billie Jean King share a special encounter, Zverev-Fritz match sees unexpected video review

Today in our Daily Dose of Social Media, we review the most significant activities and Entertainment from ATP and WTA players. Rafael Nadal met with Billie Jean King after his training in Malaga for the Davis Cup Finals and his retirement. Meanwhile, the ATP Finals provided a rare moment on tour with a long Video Review (Tennis VAR) during the match between Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz.

On the other hand, Emma Raducanu celebrates her great performance at the Billie Jean King Cup, Team Australia shares laughs with a fun team game, and Naomi Osaka was awarded at the GQ 2024 Party.

Two legends unite: Nadal and Billie Jean King share a moment in Malaga

Two legends reunited today in Malaga, as 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal finished his training with Team Spain in preparation for next week’s Davis Cup Finals. While the Billie Jean King Cup Finals are taking place at the Martín Carpena Arena, the same venue will host the men's nation tournament.

As Nadal prepares for his final tournament as a professional, he encountered 12-time singles Grand Slam champion and WTA founder Billie Jean King. "You’re looking good," King said while greeting the 38-year-old Spaniard. "You know what, you always volley," she added, to which Nadal smiled in response. The two also took several photos for the media from the side of the court.

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Team Australia shares laughs in fun word game

The Billie Jean King Cup Finals is looking for a new champion this week as the women's team competition draws to a close for the year. The 8 quarterfinalists have already been decided, and they will return to the court on November 16 and 17 in search of semifinal spots, including Australia, which had a bye in the first round as the 4th seeds.

The Australians will face the surprise team Slovakia, who unexpectedly eliminated the USA, which was missing Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, and led by Danielle Collins. Team Australia members Daria Saville, Kimberly Birrell, Maya Joint, and Ellen Perez took part in a fun game in which, in pairs, they tried to say the same word at the same time.

Zverev and Fritz smile through tense Video Review drama

The semifinal match between Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz featured a notable moment during the first-set tie-break. With Fritz leading 1-0 after an early mini-break, the American was serving when the chair umpire called a ‘net up’ on Zverev’s approach to the net. The German then requested a video review.

After Zverev's request, the chair umpire took nearly a minute to review the replay and make a decision, while both players waited anxiously. At one point, Zverev even decided to sit on one of the advertising banners at the side of the court. Ultimately, the umpire reversed his decision and ordered the point to be replayed, after the footage was shown on the big screen — one of the innovations at the ATP Finals and the Next Gen ATP Finals. Both players took the delay in stride, smiling as they returned to the game. In the replayed point, Zverev managed to break back and win the mini-break.

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Osaka shines at GQ Men of the Year Party 2024

Naomi Osaka recently attended the GQ Men of the Year Party 2024 and took home the gold in the "Big Fit of the Night" category. The 4-time Grand Slam champion was one of the star guests at the event, continuing to shine as one of the most prominent female athletes in the world of fashion.

The theme of the party was American Rodeo, and Osaka impressed in an outfit by the brand Amiri, featuring a white shirt, leather tie, studded pants, and a striking wide-brimmed hat. After the party, the 27-year-old Japanese shared a series of photos of the event and the award she received, which she thanked at the awards ceremony: “It feels great to win a medal this year,” she joked.

The former world No. 1 ended her season in early October after suffering an injury at the China Open while facing Coco Gauff (6-3, 4-6, ret.). Osaka made her return this season after a long maternity break, and after starting the year outside the top-800, she made an incredible rise to No. 59 in the year-end ranking.

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Raducanu sparks Team GB’s victory at Billie Jean King Cup

Emma Raducanu has expressed her excitement about being part of Team Great Britain in recent days. The 2021 US Open champion is one of the key stars in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals and had a standout debut against Jule Niemeier, defeating her 6-4, 6-4. Later, Katie Boulter triumphed over Laura Siegemund (6-1, 6-2), securing a spot in the quarterfinals, where they will face defending champions Canada on November 17.

After the successful debut of the British team, Raducanu shared photos on Instagram of her recent days in Spain with the team, including shots of the British crowd that came in full support in Malaga. "🇬🇧 there’s more milk in the fridge —>>> quarters," she posted after the first-round victory.

Alcaraz, Zverev, and De Minaur share the foods they hate in hilarious ATP video

The ATP recently shared a video in which the stars of the ATP Finals revealed the foods they hate, even though others love them. With just one day left in the tournament, the finalists are already set, with Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz in singles, while the doubles final will feature the German duo Kevin Krawietz/Tim Pütz against doubles world No. 1 Marcelo Arévalo/Mate Pavic.

"What food do you hate but others love?" players were asked as they walked through the Inalpi Arena in Turin, Italy. "Banana," was the response from 4-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz.

On the other hand, Alexander Zverev chose codfish, while Alex de Minaur gave one of the most controversial answers by picking Vegemite, a popular spread in Australia and New Zealand known as one of their national foods. "That’s just Aussie heaven right there, and it’s not my thing," he said.