Daily Dose of Social Media: Alcaraz trains with his brother before Miami Open as Zheng Qinwen partners with Beats

In a new Daily Dose of Social Media, ATP and WTA stars kicked off their Miami Open campaigns with the first-round matches. A peculiar moment occurred during Polina Kudermetova's match when play was interrupted by an iguana invading the court.

Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz paid tribute to his father on social media, alongside a video circulating online of him training with his brother Jaime Alcaraz, who showcased his impressive skills. Additionally, Zheng Qinwen partnered with Beats, becoming the new face of the technology and audio brand.

Iguana invasion! Match interrupted at Miami Open

A curious situation unfolded at the Miami Open when an iguana invaded the court, forcing a first-round match between Elena Gabriela Ruse and Polina Kudermetova to be interrupted. The duel was just starting its third set when the reptile sneaked onto the court, causing both players to stop the game.

A tournament official had to intervene, using an umbrella to chase the animal away, much to the surprise of the crowd. The Romanian qualifier eventually claimed victory, winning 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-2, and will face 29th seed Magdalena Frech in the second round.

Dimitrov, Del Potro, Kuerten and more: Tennis stars gather for Lacoste dinner

Several ATP stars gathered for a special dinner hosted by one of their sponsors at the Le Club Lacoste Miami Dinner Event. The evening featured the presence of Grigor Dimitrov and Daniil Medvedev, along with former players Juan Martín del Potro, Guga Kuerten, and James Blake, who joined the conversation at this pre-Miami Open get-together.

One of the topics discussed was Dimitrov’s famous one-handed backhand, while the 2021 US Open champion Medvedev spoke about his "bucket list."

“Everyone has such a unique way to set up,” said former world No. 3 Dimitrov about his backhand. “In my opinion, you can never copy a one-handed shot — it comes naturally for one-handers. I’ve never been taught to hit with two hands. I don’t know what I’m doing… I just do it, and the ball flies all over the place,” he added.

Zheng Qinwen teams up with Beats

Zheng Qinwen debuted a new sponsorship deal, announcing her partnership with headphone brand Beats. The company launched a new line of sports earbuds with the Paris 2024 gold medallist as its main ambassador.

Zheng has been seen training at the Miami Open facilities, sporting Beats headphones in several social media clips. The company celebrated the partnership by releasing a 14-second promotional trailer featuring Zheng wearing the Powerbeats Pro 2. According to Beats’ press release, the professional sports earbuds "embody the beauty of resonance between technology and competition."

In a statement, Zheng shared her excitement: "I’m thrilled to work with Beats. As a fan of the Powerbeats Pro 2, they’ve become an essential part of my pre-match routine."

Auger-Aliassime enjoys NBA action before Miami Open campaign

Felix Auger-Aliassime shared a series of photos upon his arrival in Miami, gearing up for the second leg of the Sunshine Double. The former World No. 6 took some time off to enjoy the local culture, attending a Miami Heat NBA game as a spectator.

The Canadian is looking to regain the form he showed during the Middle East swing, where he reached a final before falling to Stefanos Tsitsipas. His Indian Wells campaign ended in disappointment, as he suffered a surprise first-round loss to American Jenson Brooksby.

Auger-Aliassime is set to debut against Australian Tristan Schoolkate, with no previous encounters between them. The Canadian hopes to build on his strong 16-6 record this year, which already includes two titles. "Not bad to be back in the 305 📍," he posted.

Alcaraz’s emotional tribute to his father as he gears up with his brother

Carlos Alcaraz shared a heartwarming photo on social media, wishing his father a happy day following his triumph at the 2024 French Open. The 21-year-old secured his third Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, completing the set with at least one major on each surface, adding to his US Open and Wimbledon victories. Just over a month later, Carlitos claimed his fourth major title, defending his Wimbledon crown for the second consecutive year.

Alcaraz is now preparing to debut at the Miami Open after his run at Indian Wells, where he was the two-time defending champion but fell in the semi-finals to eventual winner Jack Draper. This time, the Spaniard will face Belgian David Goffin in his opening match, an intriguing encounter as Goffin won their most recent clash.

As he readies himself for his Friday debut, the former World No. 1 has been training with his younger brother, who’s already being recognised as a promising talent. Their practice sessions at the Miami courts have showcased the younger Alcaraz’s impressive skills, sparking excitement about his future.

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