Daily Dose of Social Media: Best promo video ever? A sci-fi showdown featuring Nadal, Djokovic, and Alcaraz; WTA Stars in fun Chinese zodiac challenge
Tennis NewsSunday, 29 September 2024 at 07:36
Today in our Daily Dose of Social Media, we review the top activities and entertainment from ATP and WTA players. An incredible promotional video left the ‘Six Kings Slam’ with a sci-fi short movie featuring Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, and Holger Rune.
As the first rounds unfold at the China Open, Aryna Sabalenka secured the shot of the day in her debut, while Zheng Qinwen received an amazing welcome in her first match in her home country as an Olympic champion.
Tennis titans shine in "Six Kings Slam" promo
The
upcoming "Six Kings Slam" dressed its stars as superheroes in a new
promotional video for the exhibition tournament, making it one of the best
tennis event promotions ever seen. In February this year, the tournament’s
stars were announced for the event in Riyadh, which will take place from
October 16 to 19.
The draw is
star-studded, featuring the return of Rafael Nadal after withdrawing from the
Laver Cup, alongside Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil
Medvedev, and Holger Rune. Just a few weeks before the event kicks off, a
promotional video was released, presenting the players as if in a sci-fi movie.
Cyborg
Alcaraz, Sandman Nadal, and Viking Rune were part of the incredible production
showcased in the 5-minute short film, which received high praise on social
media. The tournament format will start with quarterfinals, featuring Sinner
vs. Medvedev and Alcaraz vs. Rune, while tennis legends Novak Djokovic and
Rafael Nadal await in the second round. The third and fourth place match will
be played on day 3, followed by the final.
Danish
player Rune called it the "Best promotion video for an exhibition event
that I have ever seen" and later added, "We were participating in the
shooting the week before the Monte Carlo tournament. The Final Cut here is
amazing to watch." Meanwhile, Medvedev also shared the video: "How
incredible is this!!! Can’t wait to play this event. See you in October. #SixKingsSlam
#RiyadhSeason."
Aryna Sabalenka dazzles with 'Shot of the Day
Aryna
Sabalenka is almost undoubtedly the most in-form player on the WTA Tour,
currently riding a 13-match winning streak after titles at the Cincinnati Open
and the US Open. The Belarusian made her debut at the WTA 1000 China Open
against Thai qualifier Manancha Sawangkaew (No. 187) with a 6-4, 6-1 victory.
Her title
win at Flushing Meadows put Sabalenka in contention for the world No. 1 spot,
challenging Iga Swiatek, who had seemed out of reach just a few weeks ago due
to a large point difference. Sabalenka is the favourite in Beijing, and if she
wins the title, she will close the gap to less than 300 points behind Swiatek.
If anyone
had doubts about Sabalenka's impressive form, her Asian Swing debut left no
room for them, as she delivered the shot of the day, proving her game is more
than just power. The world No. 2 used powerful shots across the court, but
Sawangkaew managed to return them all. Sabalenka then switched it up with an
incredible dropshot, leaving her opponent stunned.
Zhang Shuai’s emotional in Beijing: "Dreams forever young"
The return
to China at this point in the year has marked a resurgence for 35-year-old
Zhang Shuai. One of the most prominent tennis players in Chinese history, Zhang
had endured a historic losing streak of 24 consecutive defeats over more than
600 days without a victory. She had also dropped down to world No. 776 just a
few weeks ago. Zhang entered the top 30 for the first time in 2014 and in 2023
reached her career-high ranking of world No. 22 earlier this year.
Zhang
received a wild card in Beijing and made her debut with a hard-fought win over
McCartney Kessler, 7-6, 7-6. But she didn’t stop there. On Friday, she faced
the sixth seed, Emma Navarro, and secured an impressive victory, 6-4, 6-2—her
first win over a top-10 player since 2022.
Despite a
calm reaction on the court, Zhang expressed heartfelt gratitude to her fans on
social media after enduring two difficult seasons. She now advances to the
third round, where she will face Greet Minnen. "🫶❤️👊 Thanks, you have been waiting for a
while … dreaming no matter how old you are, the dreams are forever young,"
Zhang posted on her social media.
Zheng Qinwen receives hero's welcome in Beijing
Zheng
Qinwen became a heroine for China at just 21 years old after winning the gold
medal in women’s singles—an unprecedented achievement for the Asian country.
"Queenwen" received an incredible reception from the crowd in her
victory over Kamila Rakhimova, 6-1, 6-1.
Chinese
tennis fans, known for their affection toward all players, were more
enthusiastic than ever to welcome Zheng in her first tournament in China after
a season where she was runner-up at the Australian Open and later claimed a
historic gold medal, including a semifinal victory over the nearly unbeatable
Iga Swiatek on clay. The main stadium in Beijing was packed as Zheng made her
deafening entrance onto the court.
Read also
Billie Jean King reacts to Leylah Fernandez performance
Billie Jean King shared a video reacting to a
point by Leylah Fernandez during Canada’s match against Ysaline Bonaventure in
the Billie Jean King Cup. Formerly known as the Fed Cup, this tournament is the
most important international competition and the women’s equivalent of the
men’s Davis Cup. Canada are the reigning champions, having won the title for
the first time in 60 editions, led by Leylah Fernandez.
“An unbelievable player, she can move so well,
she never gives up, fights like crazy,” King said as she watched the video.
“Look at how well Leylah moves, and she’s such a great player, especially when
she plays for Canada, her country, as she gets so excited. I can’t say enough
about Taylor, she’s one of the all-time greats, a human being both on and off
the court.”
Zodiac showdown: WTA Stars take on the chinese horoscope
The WTA stars attempted to guess their
colleagues' zodiac signs based on the Chinese horoscope. Unlike the usual
Western horoscope (which divides the year into 12 months and assigns an animal
according to the birth date), the Chinese zodiac animal is defined by the year
of birth in 12-year cycles.
At the beginning of the video, local star Zheng
Qinwen explains, “This year is the dragon year; I think a lot of people want to
be a dragon instead of a snake or rabbit.” The video features Aryna Sabalenka,
Naomi Osaka, Coco Gauff, Barbora Krejcikova, among others.
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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- STOP the "Look at Me" Tour now... and forever!!
mandoist05-09-2026 - This article is SPOT ON!!!Rapunzel04-09-2026
- This article is SPOT ON!!!Rapunzel04-09-2026
- Is there no one in Pro Tennis willing to give this one some form of intervention before she crashes??mandoist04-09-2026
- Double Standards for the male players? Gross. BTW: This "apology" reads like the one his lawyers wrote for him when he had to go to the Kangaroo Court for slapping his girlfriend around.mandoist04-09-2026
- From Day One, legalizing Sports Betting was never going to end well (for The Sport... not just the thousands who lose their livelihoods and bank accounts). We're not even close to the end of the damage this is causing.mandoist03-09-2026
- From Day One, legalizing Sports Betting was never going to end well (for The Sport... not the thousands who lose their livelihoods and bank accounts). We're not even close to the end of the damage this is causing.mandoist03-09-2026
- In her defense... she has no "defense" and likely could not articulate it if she did.mandoist03-09-2026
- Someone is not enjoying her gradual slide down the rankings, which became noticeable last season. BTW: That reporter's on to something familiar -- the effects of Social Media Stardom on one's Second Priority (Tennis). Shades of Bouchard, Giorgi, Raducanu, etc.mandoist03-09-2026
- Sabalenka seems so unhappy. When you get angry after every mistake you make on court, you’ve got some issues sweetie! She also does seem to be “partying” a lot if you follow her social media (I don’t lolol). Very immature personality.DaveyWavey03-09-2026
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