Daily Dose of Social Media: Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka star in Doha Open ad, Rafael Nadal plays football
Tennis News
Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek stole the spotlight in a new Doha Open ad, featuring the defending champion and the world No. 1, which we review in a new Daily Dose of Social Media.
Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal shared photos playing football with members of the Rafa Nadal Academy team. On the other hand, Zhang Zhizhen debuted a new look with a striking hair colour, while the stars of the Dallas Open took part in a fun game, featuring Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton, and others.
Rafael Nadal plays football with members of the Rafa Nadal Academy
The former world No. 1 and all-time Roland Garros title leader posted on Instagram, showing himself playing football alongside members of his academy and some friends, enjoying his retirement from professional tennis.
The Spaniard also tagged LaLiga’s account and left a message: "Stay tuned, @laliga, there's some talent here 😅."
Rafa, a devoted Real Madrid fan, has always acknowledged his passion for football. In his childhood, he stood out for his talent in the sport, even playing in the youth ranks of Manacor.
Shapovalov's funny moment at the ATP 500 in Dallas
The Canadian, who defeated Taylor Fritz in the round of 16 by 2-6, 6-3, 7-6, was involved in one of the day's bloopers. After one of the LED lights at the back of the court malfunctioned, the former world No. 10 attempted to fix it by hitting the faulty panel with the ball and then with the handle of his racket.
The incident amused the crowd and delivered one of the funniest moments of the 2025 ATP Tour so far—alongside showcasing Shapovalov's "repair skills." The Canadian will face Tomas Machac in the quarterfinals.
Denis Shapovalov est vraiment le bourrin qu'il croit être. 😂pic.twitter.com/YOAxpcoplO
— Tennis Legend (@TennisLegende) February 7, 2025
Zhang Zhizhen debuts a striking new hairstyle
Zhang Zhizhen surprised the internet with a bold new look. He showcased his fresh pink-dyed haircut, matching his headband, during the ATP 500 ABN AMRO Open. However, his on-court luck didn’t match his style, as he lost in the first round to Russia’s Andrey Rublev, 6-3, 6-4. The world No. 52 will now set his sights on the ATP 500 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
On valide la nouvelle coupe de cheveux de Zhizhen Zhang ? 🥶🌸 pic.twitter.com/IbA2NbWzNI
— DRX (@drxtennis) February 4, 2025
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Holger Rune feature in a Tennis TV reel
Both players answered a series of questions about aspects of tennis they believe should or shouldn't continue in 2025. Among the topics discussed were mind games against opponents, which Rune supported. Both players agreed on eating bananas during matches, as they help restore energy.
Tsitsipas also voiced his support for the one-handed backhand, adding that more players should adopt it. Regarding underarm serves, the Greek admitted he likes them, while Rune expressed disapproval. The former owrld No. 3 recently lost against Mattia Belluci on quarterfinals of Rotterdam Open.
Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka star in Doha Open ad
The world No. 1 and No. 2 have arrived in Doha ahead of the Doha Open. The two top players took part in a fun photoshoot and faced off on a mini tennis court for a promotional campaign in Qatar.
Both are aiming to claim the title—Sabalenka looking to extend her lead at the top, while Swiatek fights to stay in the race for the No. 1 ranking.
Belinda Bencic’s phone rings mid-match
During the Abu Dhabi Open semi-final between Rybakina and Bencic, the Swiss player’s phone suddenly started ringing, creating a peculiar moment. Bencic immediately ran to turn it off so the match could continue, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Despite the distraction, Bencic defeated top seed Rybakina – first seed of the tournament and defending champion 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, securing her place in the final, where she will face Ashlyn Kruger for the title in Abu Dhabi.
Belinda Bencic's phone went off during her match against Rybakina in Abu Dhabi 😂 pic.twitter.com/CwzpXSQrgM
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 7, 2025
Sabalenka spends a workday with her sister
Aryna Sabalenka shared a series of Instagram photos showing her sister accompanying her for a day in the life of a professional tennis player.
The world No. 1’s sister appeared a bit shy, covering her face in some of the pictures.
The 3-time Grand Slam champion is now preparing for the Doha Open with her sister by her side, where she will be the first seed
Dallas Open players attempt to draw Dallas Cowboys logo
The tournament organised an activity where participants were asked to draw the logo of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys from memory before revealing their results.
Denis Shapovalov delivered a hilarious moment, admitting he had no idea what the logo looked like since he doesn’t watch American football.
Meanwhile, the American players showed more familiarity and drew relatively accurate versions of the Dallas Cowboys logo.
Novak Djokovic attends Juventus match
The former world No. 1 was at the Juventus Stadium to watch his compatriot Dusan Vlahovic’s team claim victory, with the Serbian striker scoring a goal. Djokovic shared the moment on social media as he celebrated the goal.
Djokovic will return to Qatar for the ATP 500 Qatar ExxonMobil Open, where he will be the seventh seed. The Serbian has already won the tournament in 2016 and 2017.
The event will also feature several top-10 players, including Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Daniil Medvedev, and boasts one of the highest prize pools among ATP 500 tournaments.
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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