Daily Dose of Social Media: Aryna Sabalenka dances to “The Ketchup Song” at F1 Grand Prix – Tennis stars join Abu Dhabi fun
Tennis News
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix stole the spotlight
this weekend, with VIP spectators for the final F1 race of the season. Aryna
Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner were among the most eye-catching, although several
other tennis stars made an appearance, and you'll be able to see them in a new
Daily Dose of Social Media.
Sabalenka shows her dance moves at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Aryna Sabalenka showcased her dancing talent
during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend, grooving to the infectious rhythm
of "The Ketchup Song" by Spanish pop sensation Las Ketchup. Dressed
in Alpine F1 team gear, the Belarusian tennis star made a big impression with
her moves on 8 December. The video amassed over 1.6 million views and drew
reactions from her colleagues, including Ons Jabeur and Garbine Muguruza.
In an Instagram Reel shared by the Alpine F1
team, the 26-year-old tennis player was seen fully suited up in team attire,
joyfully dancing to the catchy tune of "The Ketchup Song." After an
energetic performance, she removed her helmet and blew a playful kiss to the
camera, captivating viewers. The caption on the team’s social media read: “Last
race vibes in Abu Dhabi 🤙 Good to have you here
@arynasabalenka 🎾”
Read also
Sinner’s GP moment: Chequered flag duty in Abu Dhabi
Jannik Sinner was another star present at the
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, taking on a key role in the season’s final race by waving
the chequered flag. The world No. 1, a well-known F1 fan, has often been
spotted at F1 events, and this time he was a special guest in the Ferrari
garage, reflecting his close friendship with driver Charles Leclerc.
The thrilling 2024 season concluded with a
spectacular race in Abu Dhabi, featuring a dominant victory. Lando Norris
claimed the win in the UAE, securing the championship for McLaren, while
Spain’s Carlos Sainz bid farewell to Ferrari with a second-place finish.
Norris clocked a time of 1:26:33.291, finishing
ahead of both Ferrari drivers, Carlos Sainz (+5.832) and Charles Leclerc
(+31.928). Lewis Hamilton (+36.486) delivered an impressive comeback to secure
fourth place, marking his farewell to Mercedes after 13 years with the team. His
next stop: Ferrari.
Jannik Sinner waving the flag for Lando Norris in Abu Dhabi at the Grand Prix.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) December 8, 2024
🦊🏎️ 🏁 pic.twitter.com/NfohkCePCk
Jannik Sinner and Charles Leclerc ❤️🔥 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/M133cvA8MS
— ℛ𝑜𝑠 ¹⁶🦊 #𝘚1𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳 (@roserome1927) December 8, 2024
Jannik Sinner wasn’t the only tennis
star at the event. Later, he met former WTA Finals champion Caroline Garcia,
who was also in attendance at the Grand Prix. The French player shared a
message for Sinner on her Instagram stories, wishing him luck for the upcoming
season: “As unstoppable as Verstappen. Good luck in 2025, Jannik. 🙌 🙌”
Other tennis stars spotted at the
event included Elena Rybakina, Sorana Cirstea, and Paula Badosa. “Living life
in the fast lane 🏎️✨ Thrills, speed, and the roar of engines – F1, you’ve got my heart! 🏁🔥,” posted the Spanish former Indian
Wells champion, who also posed with her compatriot Fernando Alonso. She was
even surprised to discover that Grigor Dimitrov was also attending and snapped
a photo of him from a distance.
Jannik Sinner & Caroline Garcia together at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) December 8, 2024
“As unstoppable as Verstapen. Good luck in 2025 Jannik. 🙌 🙌”
(via @CaroGarcia) pic.twitter.com/J050PoEogT
“Living life in the fast lane 🏎️✨ Thrills, speed, and the roar of engines – F1, you’ve got my heart! 🏁🔥”
— Paula Badosa (@paulabadosa) December 8, 2024
💚 pic.twitter.com/c1BLZePI2N
Track tour with Elena Rybakina #AbuDhabiGP
— Sebastien G. (@sebsharfam2) December 8, 2024
📸elena / IG Stories pic.twitter.com/tIc0ppiQmo
And Grigor 😂 pic.twitter.com/4KRKQWwTSs
— Germán R. Abril (@gerebit0) December 8, 2024
Read also
Simone Biles and Serena Williams share 'Goated conversations'
Recently, Simone Biles met with Serena Williams
at a Vogue and Female Quotient event aimed at supporting entrepreneurs and
inspiring change. Their joint appearance brought a special star power to the
event, held in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan during Art Basel weekend.
The two posed for some photos as two of the
most outstanding female athletes in history. "Yesterday, I sat with the
goat @simonebiles at an EVENING OF IMPACTFUL CONVERSATION with @audemarspiguet,
@vanityfair, @femalequotient, and a house full of women. I love to see
it," posted Serena Williams.
Both have frequently expressed mutual
admiration for the careers they've built, and later Biles also shared some
photos with the 23-time Grand Slam champion. "Goated conversations 🐐," Simone Biles posted, while
Williams replied, "Love! ❤️"
Dustin Brown turns 40: A Tribute to the eccentric showman
Dustin Brown turned 40 years old, and a video
by Tennis TV pays tribute to one of the most eccentric players to have graced
the ATP Tour. The German/Jamaican is remembered for two huge victories over
Rafael Nadal on grass: first when the Spaniard was world No. 1 at the 2014
Halle Open, and then when he decisively defeated Nadal at Wimbledon in 2015.
Beyond his memorable wins over the 22-time
Grand Slam champion, Brown was one of the greatest showmen on the Tour,
regularly showcasing his talent that delighted fans with its flair, even though
his highest ranking was just world No. 64. Earlier this season, he announced
his retirement after 22 years as a professional, due to a recurring lower back
injury. Check out the video below featuring some of Brown's greatest
highlights.
Dustin Brown's EPIC highlight reel 🇯🇲
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) December 8, 2024
Join us in wishing @DreddyTennis a very happy 40th birthday 🥳 pic.twitter.com/pNQ0uhiVuX
From Miami to Rome: WTA remembers 2024’s home soil Champions
A WTA video reminisced about all the home soil
champions of the season, both in singles and doubles. After the season ended,
social media was used to recall moments when a local player lifted the trophy
in front of their home crowd. Danielle Collins at the Miami Open, Camila Osorio
in Bogotá, and Katie Boulter in Nottingham were some of the standout players in
2024 who won titles in their home countries. In doubles, Barbora Krejcikova and
Katerina Siniakova in Prague, or the Italians Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani
in the Rome Open, also stood out.
With the 2024 season wrapping up, there are
still a couple of weeks left for players to enjoy the off-season, some on
vacation while others are already training with 2025 in mind. The season begins
on December 29th with the United Cup in Australia, a joint tournament with male
players, featuring 18 teams competing. At the same time, the WTA 500 Brisbane
International and the WTA 250 Auckland Open will be held, marking the start of
the new tennis year.
Monfils accepts backflip challenge at Ultimate Tennis Showdown:
Gael Monfils starred in a fun video where he
accepted the challenge from Maxence Bertimon, a 25-year-old French tennis
player currently ranked world No. 792, who was his batting partner for the day
and has gained attention on social media as a content creator. While the
Ultimate Tennis Showdown was underway, with Monfils among the participants, his
compatriot challenged him to perform a backflip.
The former world No. 6, known for making big
jumps on court, admitted he wasn’t in top shape to do it perfectly. "At
the time I would have replied… I have a little girl at home," he said
about his daughter with former world No. 3 Elina Svitolina. "I haven’t
done it for a long time now. But you see, for me, it’s like that," he
mentioned before making a large forward jump, though supporting himself with
one hand. Nevertheless, he managed to surprise his colleague and social media
followers. "I’m not there yet, you see, but it’s a short answer,"
Monfils added.
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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