Daily Dose of Social Media: Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic honour Dominic Thiem, Billie Jean King pays tribute to late partner

Today in our Daily Dose of Social Media, we review the most significant activities and Entertainment from ATP and WTA players. Dominic Thiem was honoured in Austria as he prepares for his retirement and received a special tribute from Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic. The Serbian sent a special greeting from Shanghai, where Chinese fans have given him an incredible welcome upon his return after 5 years.

Jannik Sinner gave a special gift to Anna Kalinskaya’s brother, an autographed jersey from the notable basketball player Stephen Curry. Also, Billie Jean King paid tribute to a late tennis legend, and more.

Dominic Thiem Honoured by Big-3

Dominic Thiem received a special surprise as he was honoured by the Big-3. The 2020 US Open champion was taken by surprise at the Lotterien Sporthilfe Gala when he was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award, with the presence of his fellow Austrian, footballer David Alaba, a four-time UEFA Champions League winner.

Thiem, now 31, has announced the end of his career, with his final tournament being the Vienna Open, which begins on October 21. At the gala held on Thursday night, the former world No. 3 received tributes from Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer, who shared their honours for one of their toughest competitors over the years.

“Thank you very much for all that you have given to all of us, particularly tennis. I’m glad that you will have an opportunity to say goodbye in Vienna, one last dance,” said Djokovic. “Your friendship was always important to me on the tour. As rivals, the fact that we got along so well was always great for me,” mentioned Federer. Below, you can watch the video of the special tribute Thiem received.

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Dominic Thiem a été honoré lors d’un gala pour les sportifs autrichiens avant de disputer le dernier tournoi de sa carrière à Vienne. 🙏🇦🇹 Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic et Roger Federer ont laissé un message à leur ancien rival. 🥹 🎥 @ORF

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"Tennis is one of the loneliest sports there is": Dominic Thiem discusses tumultuous tennis journey ahead of retirement

Billie Jean King honors the memory of Australian legend

Billie Jean King paid a heartfelt tribute to a late tennis legend. The American won a total of 39 Grand Slam titles throughout her career: 12 in singles, 16 in women’s doubles, and 11 in mixed doubles. One of her closest partners was the Australian Owen Davidson, with whom King won 9 mixed doubles majors.

Davidson is also remembered as the first player to win a match in the Open Era, when he defeated John Clifton in the first round of the British Hard Court Championships. The former world No. 8 was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2010. The Australian passed away in May 2023, and King remembered him on social media on what would have been his 81st birthday.

“Australian tennis legend Owen Davidson passed away in 2023. He was my mixed doubles partner (we won 8 Grand Slam titles together), a @TennisHalloFame champion who played for his country in @DavisCup, and a special friend to Ilana and me. Thinking of him today on what would have been his 81st birthday.”

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Australian tennis legend Owen Davidson passed away in 2023. He was my mixed doubles partner (we won 8 Grand Slam titles together), a @TennisHalloFame champion who played for his country in @DavisCup, and a special friend to llana and me. Thinking of him today on what would…

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Tournament Centre Shanghai Masters 2024: Schedule, all results, Prize Money, Draw and TV Guide

Djokovic draws massive crowds in Shanghai return

At the start of the Shanghai Masters, Novak Djokovic is perhaps the star generating the most attention from the Chinese public. The 24-time Grand Slam champion returns to the tournament after 5 years and as a 4-time champion, holding the record for the most titles won at the event.

The former world No. 1 has received incredible welcomes in the days leading up to his debut. Today, upon arriving at the practice court alongside Alexander Zverev, he was warmly greeted by the crowd, with dozens of people walking behind him to record Nole’s arrival at the practice grounds. Djokovic has delighted fans with his impressive ability to speak Chinese during his first few days in Shanghai.

This will be Djokovic’s first tournament since his early exit from the US Open a month ago. The Serbian will face young American Alex Michelsen (No. 43) on Saturday at Stadium Court. “My love for tennis will never die out. I feel a lot of emotions when I play, and not only during tournaments, but also during training sessions. Sometimes things don't always go my way, but I think my relationship with tennis goes far beyond a tournament, a year, a success, or a failure,” the Serbian stated in his first press conference.

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Nolemania in Shanghai 🤩 Mexican wave, chants and smiles all around 🙌 @DjokerNole | @SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters

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We Are Tennis

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This MADNESS when Novak Djokovic arrives in Shanghai

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Daily Dose of Social Media: Hurkacz honored with Terracotta Warrior, Tsitispas picks his ‘Spirit Animal’

Sinner delivers unique gift from Stephen Curry to Kalinskaya’s brother

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner received a thank-you from Anna Kalinskaya's brother after a special gift. The Italian has already established himself as one of the top current stars in the tennis world, having shared moments with major sports and entertainment legends across the globe.

Recently, Sinner met with basketball player Stephen Curry, a 4-time NBA champion and 2-time regular season MVP. Sinner and Curry exchanged signed jerseys, although the jersey wasn't intended for the 2-time Grand Slam champion but rather for the brother of his girlfriend, world No. 13 Anna Kalinskaya.

The Russian player's older brother, Nikolay Kalinsky, is a 31-year-old professional footballer who currently plays for FC Pari Nizhniy Novgorod. He shared a photo of the jersey on his social media, publicly thanking his sister, Sinner, and Curry for the special gift.

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Francisco Cerúndolo finds a taste of home around the world in New ATP Video

Francisco Cerúndolo was the star of a new ATP video where the Argentine recounts how he 'finds a piece of home' in different parts of the world. The former world No. 19 has been one of the leaders of South American tennis in recent years, spending only a few weeks a year in his home country due to the hectic demands of the Tour that take him around the world throughout the season.

The 26-year-old player appears in a restaurant tasting Argentine-style steak and traditional empanadas: “When we travel, of course, I miss home, I miss Argentina. At least I have my team from Argentina, so we feel like we are at home a little bit, then you can go out and eat dinner, even in China. We came here to eat steak,” he said in a Shanghai restaurant. “Every time we eat steak it feels like home, but it’s probably not always as good as at home,” he laughed. Here you can find the rest of the video.