Daily Dose of Social Media: Barcelona stars cheer Alcaraz, Andreescu's joyful return to clay

In a new Daily Dose of Social Media, we take a look at some of the most relevant moments of the day, including the massive visit from FC Barcelona footballers who came to support Carlos Alcaraz in his Round of 16 clash against Laslo Djere. Bianca Andreescu also shared a photo on social media following her return to the court at the Rouen Open.

Meanwhile, ATP stars took part in a fun Q&A session at the Munich Open, revealing who their biggest fans are — featuring Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton, and Felix Auger-Aliassime.

The 2025 Barcelona is not only offering world-class tennis, but also bringing together some of the most prominent figures in sport. On Thursday, several FC Barcelona footballers visited the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona-1899 to witness Carlos Alcaraz’s match live, as he continues his determined pursuit of a third title at the tournament.

Eric García, Héctor Fort and Ferran Torres represented the men’s team, while Salma Paralluelo, Jana Fernández and Kika Nazareth attended on behalf of the women’s side. All of them enjoyed Alcaraz’s vibrant victory from the stands, as the Spaniard once again dazzled with his trademark energy and rock-solid game. Their presence caused quite a stir among spectators, who eagerly asked for photos and autographs, creating a special atmosphere of connection between different sporting disciplines.

The gesture from the Barça athletes reflects the respect and admiration that Alcaraz commands, both within tennis and beyond. His ability to captivate not only fans, but also fellow elite athletes, reaffirms his status as one of the leading figures in contemporary Spanish sport.

The world No. 2, champion in Barcelona in 2022 and 2023, underlined the emotional value of playing at home and receiving local support: "I'm very happy to be back playing in Barcelona and fighting to win my third title."

This time, Alcaraz defeated Laslo Djere 6-2, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals, where he will face 5th seed Alex De Minaur. The four-time Grand Slam champion has now extended his winning streak on clay to seven matches, following his recent title at the Monte-Carlo Masters.

ATP stars at the BMW Munich Open were asked to reveal who their biggest fans are, including figures such as Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton and Félix Auger-Aliassime. While most players named family members, Alexander Zverev’s answer stood out.

After pausing for a few seconds, someone from the production suggested, “Maybe your family?” to help him out. But Zverev replied:

“Nah, they’re not my fans. I would say I’ve met a very young gentleman who’s unfortunately in a wheelchair and he comes to all the German tournaments. I would describe him as my biggest fan. So, I really love his support.”

Ben Shelton chose his mother, while Auger-Aliassime reflected on the influence his grandfather had on his path to becoming a professional tennis player.

The ATP 500 BMW Open has now reached the quarter-final stage, with Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton remaining as strong contenders following early exits from Félix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov, and Jakub Mensik.

Bianca Andreescu suffered a narrow defeat in her return to the professional circuit after a prolonged injury absence. Still, the former world No. 4 shared a photo on social media upon her return to the clay courts, expressing her joy at being back on court despite the loss.

Canadian fell in the first round of the WTA 250 tournament in Rouen to Dutch player Suzan Lamens, in a match that went to three sets.

Andreescu, the 2019 US Open champion, has faced multiple physical setbacks throughout her career, including injuries to her knee, ankle, and back. Her last appearance at an official tournament was in October 2024, when she withdrew due to a back injury. Additionally, in March 2023, she left the Miami Open in a wheelchair after twisting her ankle during a match.

In the match against Lamens, Andreescu showed glimpses of her talent, but her lack of competitive rhythm was evident. Despite winning the second set, she couldn’t maintain the consistency needed to close out the match in her favour. Still, it's great news for the Canadian and for the WTA Tour to have a Grand Slam champion back in action.

Sabine Lisicki continues preparing for her return to the courts and shared photos of her training. The German became a mother in September 2024, and at 35 years old, she is determined to compete at the highest level again. After welcoming her daughter Bella, Lisicki confirmed she will return to competition in October 2025.

The former Wimbledon runner-up has faced numerous challenges throughout her career, including a serious knee injury in 2020 that required reconstructive surgery. In December 2024, she expressed her determination to return to professional tennis, stating, "My mission on the court is not over yet." Her comeback is scheduled for the WTA 125 tournament in Calvià, Mallorca.