Daily Dose of Social Media: Djokovic mimics Nadal in Del Potro’s farewell, Carlos Alcaraz enjoys a Dominican getaway

In today’s Daily Dose of Social Media, we review the most notable activities and commentary from ATP and WTA players. Juan Martín Del Potro’s farewell match against Novak Djokovic left fans with a memorable moment as the Serbian player humorously imitated 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Meanwhile, several players are enjoying their off-season. Leylah Fernandez shared a series of photos alongside her sister Bianca Fernandez, getting into the holiday spirit. In contrast, Paula Badosa posted pictures from the gym as she begins preparations for the 2025 season.

The friendly match between Novak Djokovic and Juan Martín Del Potro was an emotional farewell for the 2009 US Open champion. With Djokovic’s presence in Buenos Aires, the event turned into a true celebration of the iconic Argentine ex-tennis player.

During the match, while Del Potro was serving, he jokingly shouted at Djokovic to imitate Rafael Nadal’s ritual when preparing to return. Djokovic obliged, mimicking Nadal’s trademark gestures of adjusting his attire and getting ready to receive the serve, much to the delight of the crowd.

Del Potro bid farewell to his remarkable career in front of his home fans, joined by fellow Argentine legend Gabriela Sabatini. The 2-time Olympic medalist left the court in tears and later shared a heartfelt message on social media: “Thank you all for making this farewell even more beautiful than I could have dreamed. 💙”

Billie Jean King celebrates Monica Seles on her 51st birthday. The 12-time Grand Slam champion described Seles as a great champion, with both being among the most iconic names in the history of the WTA. "Happy birthday to the great champion and my friend, 9x Grand Slam winner Monica Seles. Monica won 8 of her Grand Slam titles as a teenager," King wrote on X.

Seles achieved nine Grand Slam titles in her career, with eight of them coming by the age of 19, marking her as a prodigy destined to make history in women’s tennis. In 1993, she suffered a tragic and unforgettable attack by a fan obsessed with Steffi Graf, who stabbed her in the back during a match. The incident left her with a two-centimetre wound, sidelining her from the sport for two years.

Upon her return, Seles managed to win one more Major title at the Australian Open. Nevertheless, she is regarded as one of the most talented players in WTA history and is ranked sixth in terms of Major titles in the Open Era.

Leylah Fernandez showcases her holiday spirit on social media alongside her sister, fellow tennis player Bianca Fernandez, as they enjoy their time off in Los Angeles. The 2021 US Open runner-up shared several photos with her sister, capturing festive landscapes decorated for Christmas.

Fernandez concluded her season after Canada’s elimination in the Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals. The team, led by Leylah, entered the competition as defending champions but suffered a surprising defeat against Great Britain. Fernandez, the team’s No. 1 singles player, faced Katie Boulter in a must-win match to keep Canada’s hopes alive but suffered a tough 2-6, 4-6 loss, sealing Great Britain’s spot in the semifinals.

Paula Badosa shared a gym photo as she begins training for the 2025 season. The Spanish player ended her impressive 2024 season a few weeks ago following Spain's elimination in the Billie Jean King Cup against Poland. The former World No. 2 faced Iga Swiatek in a closely contested match, but the 5-time Grand Slam champion secured the win 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-1, ensuring Poland’s spot in the tournament semifinals. “Dreams don’t work unless you do,” Badosa captioned her post.

The 26-year-old endured a back injury in 2023 that left her career in doubt for several months, including part of the early 2024 season. Despite this, she climbed from World No. 140 mid-year to finish the season ranked World No. 12. Her resurgence included semifinal runs at the Cincinnati Open and China Open, as well as a quarterfinal appearance at the US Open. Badosa is now considered a strong contender for major titles in 2025 and, with her improved ranking, will have the advantage of avoiding higher-ranked opponents in early rounds.

Carlos Alcaraz visited the Dominican Republic for a well-deserved holiday after an intense season. The Spanish tennis star took advantage of a few free days amidst his exhibition schedule in the USA, arriving in Punta Cana where he conducted tennis clinics for young fans and met with the Minister of Tourism.

There was also time for relaxation, as the 4-time Grand Slam champion was seen soaking up the sun while cruising on a yacht. Alcaraz has often expressed the importance of taking breaks, as seen earlier this season during brief vacations with friends, such as after his French Open title and ahead of clinching his second Wimbledon trophy.