Today in our Daily Dose of Social Media, we review the most significant activities and Entertainment from ATP and WTA players. Most players have already started their vacation after the Billie Jean King Cup concluded and with half of the teams eliminated in the Davis Cup. Jasmine Paolini was lifted as a hero in Italy's remarkable win that secured them the title against Slovakia.
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa were spotted in England visiting the Aston Martin headquarters in Gaydon, Aryna Sabalenka attended the last Miami Heat game with her boyfriend, and Marketa Vondrousova reappeared with photos from the beach.
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa are enjoying their vacation together in the UK. The couple shared a photo at the Aston Martin headquarters in Gaydon, a village near the English city of Northampton. Just a few days ago, the Spanish World No. 11 celebrated her 27th birthday, though she suffered a defeat to Iga Swiatek that led to Spain's elimination from the Billie Jean King Cup.
The former World No. 2 then began her vacation and met up with her boyfriend Tsitsipas, who had been in Turin a week earlier as an alternate for the ATP Finals but didn't play any matches. Both players are looking to find their best form in 2025. Badosa made a remarkable recovery in the rankings after a long injury and ends the year at World No. 11, while Tsitsipas finishes the year in the same position, ending a streak of five consecutive years in the top-10.
My Life in 70 photos by Stefanos 😍 pic.twitter.com/a850Q1w8eb
— Tsitsidosa Updates (@OnlyTsitsidosa) November 19, 2024
Love birds in the snow ❄️❄️ pic.twitter.com/XWhVT3f3XD
— Tsitsidosa Updates (@OnlyTsitsidosa) November 19, 2024
Italy's Billie Jean King Cup title had Jasmine Paolini as the team's main hero. A special moment occurred during the celebrations when members of Team Italy lifted Jasmine Paolini into the air like a true rockstar, after securing the decisive victory over Rebecca Sramkova in the second singles match. The world No. 4 came in as the team's main weapon, being the No. 1 singles player and having a notable partnership with Sara Errani in doubles.
In the quarterfinals and semifinals, Paolini teamed up with Errani to ensure the team's victory in those series. This time, with Lucia Bronzetti's win, Paolini had the chance to seal the title without the need for doubles. The two-time Grand Slam runner-up showed her class and defeated Sramkova in commanding fashion, 6-2, 6-1.
Don't drop @JasminePaolini 😂#BJKCup | @federtennis pic.twitter.com/L7ZoH8t97K
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) November 20, 2024
Jessica Pegula shared a photoshoot from her time at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, where she withdrew before her final Round Robin match. The American No. 2 had a tough performance, suffering consecutive losses to Coco Gauff and Barbora Krejcikova, in which she won no more than three games in any of the sets she played. After practically being eliminated from the tournament, she decided to withdraw before facing Iga Swiatek.
Nevertheless, it was a great year for Pegula, who has maintained her consistency, finishing in the top-7 for the past three years. The 30-year-old American shared a series of photos from her time at the tournament, including moments at the Players Party, on the court, and in her own locker room. Pegula also received responses from several of her colleagues, including Coco Gauff, Eugenie Bouchard, and Desirae Krawczyk.
Roger Federer was playing golf with his former colleague Alexandre Muller in a new video shared by the French player. The 27-year-old finished the season with his best ranking as world No. 68. Federer, who retired in 2022, never faced Muller on a tennis court, but this time they competed (friendlily) in a golf match. The French player shared photos alongside the 20-time Grand Slam champion, including a shot of Federer’s swing.
Many were surprised that Federer wasn’t at Nadal’s farewell in Mallorca when the Spaniard officially retired during his final tournament as a professional. Nonetheless, the Swiss Maestro sent a message of support to his longtime rival after ending his career. “Rafa, I know you’re focused on the last stretch of your epic career. We will talk when it’s done. For now, I just want to congratulate your family and team, who all played a massive role in your success. And I want you to know that your old friend is always cheering for you, and will be cheering just as loud for everything you do next,” part of Federer’s message on Twitter read.
🐐 on the course too ⛳️ @rogerfederer pic.twitter.com/dcsd03g5TJ
— Alexandre Müller (@Alex2Mumu) November 20, 2024
Vamos, @RafaelNadal!
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) November 19, 2024
As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional.
Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me—a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could. On clay, it felt like I…
Boris Becker joined the tributes to 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in his farewell. The former world No. 1 German left a heartfelt message for the retired Spanish tennis player, who played his final match as a professional on Tuesday in the Davis Cup, where he was defeated by Botic van de Zandschulp. Despite Carlos Alcaraz's victory in the second singles match, everything was decided in doubles, where the Netherlands team sealed the win and the end of Nadal's career.
Tributes have poured in from all over the world, with tennis legends and sports figures dedicating words to the ‘King of Clay’. This time, it was 6-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker, former coach of Novak Djokovic, who paid his respects to the Spaniard. "Thank you, Rafa! One of the most iconic sportsmen ever, sadly left the game of tennis. You gave us unbelievable moments on court that will be remembered forever. A deep sense of gratitude from me and anybody that loves the game 🎾!" he posted.
Gracias Rafa!
— Boris Becker (@TheBorisBecker) November 20, 2024
One of the most iconic sportsman ever, sadly left the game of tennis. You gave us unbelievable moments on court that will be remembered forever. A deep sense of gratitude from me and anybody that loves the game 🎾! @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/TKePf5GL2T
Aryna Sabalenka recently visited the Kaseya Center, where she attended the Miami Heat’s latest game. The World No. 1 is enjoying her time off after ending the season as the top-ranked player and securing two Grand Slam titles. Sabalenka was accompanied by her boyfriend, Brazilian businessman Georgios Frangulis, to watch the Miami Heat face the Philadelphia 76ers.
Sabalenka was introduced as a star in the stadium and took to the court with her boyfriend after the game last night. The Belarusian posed for several photos on the court alongside Frangulis. She is currently on holiday and will next be seen competing in the World Tennis League exhibition tournament, where she will team up with Taylor Fritz, Mirra Andreeva, and Sumit Nagal for Team Hawks.
Marketa Vondrousova made a return to social media while enjoying her vacation. The Czech tennis player played her last tournament of the season at Wimbledon, where she entered as the 6th seed and was defeated in the first round by Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. The Czech player then withdrew from the Olympic Games and opted out of the US Open before ending her year. The 25-year-old finished the year ranked world No. 39 and is looking forward to her return in 2025. "Core memories💙," she posted.