Daily Dose of Social Media: Badosa’s heartfelt message to Tsitsipas, Swiatek shares Taylor Swift’s impact on her english
Tennis News
In a new Daily Dose of Social Media, we review the best of the ATP and WTA stars as they prepare for Indian Wells. Defending champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz were the protagonists in a Q&A session, where the Polish player talked about her fandom for Taylor Swift and how it helped her learn English.
On the other hand, Aryna Sabalenka caught the spotlight with her underarm serve in a friendly match against Naomi Osaka in an exhibition, while Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe previewed their own exhibition in Puerto Rico.
Chinese Stars Zheng Qinwen and Shang Juncheng train together ahead of Indian Wells
Young Chinese tennis stars Zheng Qinwen and Shang Juncheng shared a training session ahead of Indian Wells. The 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist is looking to leave behind a rough start to the year, with only one win and three consecutive losses so far. The former world No. 5 has dropped several places in the rankings and needs to earn points in the Sunshine Double if she wants to stay in the top-10, with Paula Badosa and Mirra Andreeva threatening to push her out of the elite group.
On the other hand, China's No. 2 male player, Shang Juncheng, will play just his second tournament of the season after suffering an injury in the first round of the Australian Open, forcing him to retire when he was down 6-7, 2-5 against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The 20-year-old, ranked No. 58 in the world, is aiming to continue his rapid rise in the rankings, being one of only six players under 21 within the top-100 of the men's rankings.
ATP 🤝 WTA
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 2, 2025
Shang Juncheng & Zheng Qinwen shared the court for practice today 😎#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/l8kcv8agJH
Draper connects with fans at Indian Wells Family Day
Jack Draper participated in a fun video with fans at Indian Wells during Family Day. The British No. 1 spent time with kids, taking several photos, signing autographs, and even went on court to hit with some junior players.
The world No. 12 has once again faced injuries at the start of the season, but seemed to leave them behind at the Qatar Open, where he reached the final, though he eventually lost to Andrey Rublev. Still, he holds a strong 7-2 record in 2025, with his only defeats coming from Rublev and a retirement in the fourth round of the Aussie Open against Carlos Alcaraz.
All in for the Family Day fun 🙌@jackdraper0 | #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/Feg7wbA7Hd
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 2, 2025
Alcaraz, Sabalenka, and more reveal their picks for 'Best Actor' on Tour
ATP and WTA stars were asked who they would nominate as the 'Best Actor' on Tour. With participants including Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Coco Gauff, Casper Ruud, among others, the biggest stars of Indian Wells gave fun answers in a new round of Q&A on social media.
Some of the choices included Novak Djokovic, Andrey Rublev, Matteo Berrettini, and Mirra Andreeva, the teenager who hilariously voted for herself. Check out the stars’ picks below as they prepare for the first combined WTA 1000/Masters 1000 event of the year.
Who’d be the BEST ACTOR on tour? 🍿
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) March 2, 2025
And the Oscar goes to…💌 pic.twitter.com/n9y6OIYXF6
Sabalenka shocks with under-arm serve against Osaka
Aryna Sabalenka surprised everyone during an exhibition match against Naomi Osaka with an under-arm serve while they were competing in the MGM Rewards Slam, a friendly event held in the lead-up to Indian Wells. The exhibition also featured American tennis legends Andre Agassi and Mardy Fish, who teamed up for a mixed doubles match alongside the two multi-time Grand Slam champions.
In a match played in Las Vegas, the current world No. 1, Sabalenka, and former world No. 1, Osaka, showed their good relationship off the court, even sitting together and chatting before the match began. During the encounter, Sabalenka surprised everyone with an under-arm serve, something not typically seen from the Belarusian, though she has used it in matches where she struggled with double faults in previous years.
JJAJAJAJA CHAU pic.twitter.com/XOGClze0fx
— lu 🇦🇷 (@dualipapas) March 2, 2025
Naomi Osaka and Aryna Sabalenka sitting together and letting the balls kids play a point at The MGM Rewards Slam exhibition match in Las Vegas! pic.twitter.com/QAPRNN98vc
— DJ (@sinsterbb) March 2, 2025
Badosa’s heartfelt message to Tsitsipas after his Dubai title win
Paula Badosa congratulated her boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas after he won the title at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The Greek player had been on a negative streak by his own standards, with no titles since the Monte-Carlo Masters in April of the previous year and no hardcourt titles since the 2023 Los Cabos Open.
The former world No. 3 had fallen out of the top 10 in recent months, but he achieved a remarkable victory in Dubai, overcoming a historic negative streak of 11 consecutive losses in ATP 500 finals. Tsitsipas played his best tennis during the week to claim his 12th career trophy, defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-3. His girlfriend Badosa, who recently suffered a back injury in Merida, kept an eye on the action in the Middle East and sent a special message to her boyfriend for his trophy: "Once a champ, always a champ," she posted on her Instagram stories.
Paula Badosa after Stefanos Tsitsipas won Dubai:
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) March 1, 2025
“Once a champ always a champ.” 🥹 pic.twitter.com/gMqDCSE0Wp
Swiatek talks Taylor Swift fandom
Iga Swiatek once again captured attention in a video discussing her fandom for Taylor Swift. The 5-time Grand Slam champion responded about her favorite album by the California singer, saying, "Speak Now," she said. "That was one of the first ones, and, I don’t know, I just love how the lyrics and how she describes the world."
"I remember I didn’t speak English that well when I listened to it for the first time, and I learned so much because of it. And also, it was like the first album that I listened to. It felt like I was watching a movie because of how she sings and how she describes the world."
The world No. 2 is preparing to defend her title at Indian Wells, after defeating Maria Sakkari in the 2024 final, which was her second trophy in Tennis Paradise (she had previously also defeated Sakkari in the 2022 final). Swiatek will be looking for her first title of the season at one of her favorite tournaments, after surprising losses in the Middle East Swing. Nevertheless, she remains one of the top favorites for the title in the American desert.
Read also
Tiafoe shares excitement for Puerto Rico exhibition
Frances Tiafoe shared a video of his time in Puerto Rico ahead of the "Battle of Legends" exhibition match against Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday night. The American tennis player will play another exhibition match against Alcaraz, just as he did a few months ago in Charlotte during the off-season.
The world No. 17 will return to compete in a tournament in the USA, where he always finds inspiration, and will look to improve on his 2024 result, where he was eliminated in the Round of 32 by Stefanos Tsitsipas. On the other side, Alcaraz will travel to Tennis Paradise with the mission of defending the title he won in both 2023 and 2024.
“It’s an honor to bring tennis to Puerto Rico. The love has been impeccable. I can’t wait for tomorrow’s night match against @carlitosalcarazz. Let’s put on a show, brotha 🤞🏿🤞🏿🤞🏿 #gratitude #batalladeleyendas #puertorico””
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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