Coco Gauff welcomes 2026 in Perth, Jelena Djokovic shares family recap as Team Italy unwind on Australian beaches

Friday, 02 January 2026 at 07:53

Coco Gauff enroute to the semi-finals in the China Open

In a new Daily Dose of Social Media, the tennis season is just hours away from getting underway with the United Cup. Most ATP and WTA Tour players are already in Australia for the opening swing of the year, with several of them spending the New Year there as they prepare for their first tournaments of the season — including American world No. 3 Coco Gauff.

At the same time, recap posts from 2025 continue to roll in. Jelena Djokovic shared a series of family photos alongside her husband Novak Djokovic to close out the year, while Denis Shapovalov also posted a look back at a remarkable season — both on court and in his personal life after getting married. Meanwhile, Team Italy enjoyed a fun day unwinding on Australia’s beaches, showing the strong team spirit within the group, led by Jasmine Paolini and Flavio Cobolli.

Gauff rings in 2026 in Australia

World No. 3 Coco Gauff shared photos showing off her New Year’s Eve outfit as she welcomed 2026 in Perth, Australia, where she is preparing to defend her title at the United Cup. The American star was the leader of the U.S. team in 2025, helping them lift the trophy alongside Taylor Fritz.

Gauff went undefeated in singles throughout the tournament, winning all five of her matches, and also claimed victories in both mixed doubles encounters she played. The two-time Grand Slam champion now faces a demanding task early in the season, as she defends the 500 ranking points earned last year.

At the moment, those points have her dropping one place in the live rankings to No. 4, opening the door for Amanda Anisimova to potentially become the new American No. 1. Everything will be decided this week, with Anisimova competing at the Brisbane International, where she can earn up to 500 points. A title there would not only see her overtake Gauff as the highest-ranked American, but also potentially secure her first-ever Top 3 ranking.

Shapovalov sets sights on strong 2026

Denis Shapovalov shared a recap of what was a standout 2025 season, highlighted by two titles at the ATP 250 Los Cabos Open and the ATP 500 Dallas Open, as well as his return to the Top 25 for the first time in two years. The Canadian also enjoyed major personal milestones away from the court, as he married Swedish tennis player Miriam Björklund, a former World No. 123 who is currently ranked No. 782.

Now focused on starting 2026 in the best possible way, the 26-year-old will compete at the Brisbane International, where he is seeded fifth. The event will be his only warm-up tournament ahead of the Australian Open.

Team Italy unwind on Australian beaches

Team Italy has already arrived in Perth and took advantage of the first day of the year to explore the city’s beaches ahead of the start of their United Cup campaign. The Italians are among the favourites for the title, coming in as reigning Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup champions.

The squad features key figures from both triumphs, including Flavio Cobolli and Jasmine Paolini, and also boasts a strong mixed doubles pairing in Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, two-time US Open mixed doubles champions.

In a video shared on social media by doubles specialist Vavassori, the Italian team can be seen in high spirits, joking and relaxing while taking in some of Perth’s main tourist attractions.

Jelena Djokovic posts heartfelt message to close out the year

Jelena Djokovic, the wife of Novak Djokovic, shared a series of unseen photos from the couple’s past year in an emotional end-of-2025 post on Instagram. The images captured moments and trips shared with her husband — the 24-time Grand Slam champion — and their two children, Stefan (11) and Tara (8), who have frequently been seen supporting their father at tournaments.

The couple have been together since 2005, when they were teenagers, and married in 2014. In her message, Jelena reflected on gratitude, growth, and the importance of family. "Ah 2025! So much to be grateful for ☺️ Love, family, friendship, nature… they make life deeper, sweeter, and endlessly more meaningful. Wishing everyone health, love, and joy. 🙏🏻 May we keep growing into better, kinder versions of ourselves."

"I used to think that the quote “I never want to grow up” from Peter Pan was my childhood mantra. But I did grow up and “I never want to stop growing” is the wish I hold for myself and for all of you. Much love, and God bless you, Jelena.”

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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