Daily Dose of Social Media: Marta Kostyuk's fluky new ace style as Alexander Zverev joins phone line-call trend
WTA
In our Daily Dose of Social Media, we look at some of the best entertainment from the past day that you may have missed with the Madrid Open reaching the second week.
Among the leading highlights included Alexander Zverev meeting Toni Kroos and becoming the latest to use his phone to take a photo of a line-call. Casper Ruud and Sebastian Korda restored an old rivalry 26 years in the making.
While Marta Kostyuk had a new novel ace style which in reality was unexpected to say the least and caused her to laugh as she sealed the latest win in Madrid.
From one German in Madrid to another as Toni Kroos meets Alexander Zverev
Not only was it a winning day for Germany's top star Alexander Zverev on Sunday but he also met up with another German star in Madrid in former Real Madrid superstar Toni Kroos.
Kroos turned up on Sunday to enjoy his tie against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Zverev is attempting to win his third title at the tournament after claiming it in 2018 and 2021.
Kroos was welcomed with great affection and affinity by those in the stands who recognise him from his days with Real Madrid. The German was in Zverev's box. He was greeted by Zverev afterwards where he congratulated him on the win before they exchanged gifts.
Zverev signed a couple of racquets he used and Kroos gave him a Real Madrid shirt which the inscription: “To my friend Sascha. Best of luck. Your fan, Toni."
26 years on - Ruud renews Korda rivalry
Casper Ruud saw off Sebastian Korda late into the night at the Madrid Open winning 6-3, 6-3 and it notched the latest Ruud win over a Korda.
It was 26 years ago since the Ruud v Korda name was on the marquee. Back then it saw Christian Ruud who these days is in the box of his son as coach face Petr Korda and won 6-2, 7-6.
Of course Korda comes from a famous family nowadays with his sisters including Nelly Korda the famous golfing star being sporting stars. But Sebastian had similar luck to his father in losing out. A superb full circle moment though.
Following in his father’s footsteps 👥
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) April 27, 2025
26 years after their dads dueled, Casper records another win in the Ruud-Korda rivalry ⚔️#MMOpen pic.twitter.com/2xUbg7oNMa
Hilarious new ace style from Marta Kostyuk
A video that caught the eye saw Marta Kostyuk get the hilarious luck in her latest Madrid Open tie which saw her see off Veronika Kudermetova in three sets 6-0, 4-6, 6-4.
Kostyuk who saw off Emma Raducanu last round attempted to serve and it went too high but ironically it looped over the net and was an ace in the end catching the inside of the line.
Kostyuk was apologetic about it but had a wry smile on her face also as she got away with it in superb fashion. A new ace style from Kostyuk that worked whether intentional or not.
😉A new ace style from Marta Kostyuk
— Ukrainian Tennis • BTU (@ukrtennis_eng) April 27, 2025
📹 WTA TV pic.twitter.com/5OO7PuCxsi
Elena Rybakina's sister shares heartwarming family photo
Often a presence in the box of the former Wimbledon champion, Elena Rybakina is her sister Anna who posts pictures of the duo and their life on tour on her social media.
But she offered up a different side by sharing family life albeit without Elena involved. She shared images of herself and her parents of course also the mum and dad of the tennis star.
As well as photos of their dogs in a heartwarming family photo. But Rybakina on the court has headed out of the Madrid Open.
She was well beaten by Elina Svitolina who pounced on a mysteriously high amount of unforced errors which saw Rybakina fall early again with work to do ahead of Rome and Roland Garros.
Elena Rybakina family.
— Sebastien G. (@sebsharfam2) April 27, 2025
Mom , dad and her sister Ann.
📸Ann Rybakina/ IG Stories. pic.twitter.com/8ymqf7R0At
Zverev becomes latest victim of dodgy line call
Alexander Zverev became the latest victim of a dodgy line call as he was penalised for it during his win earlier today.
Zverev posted a photo on social media of a ball mark that was called in by electronic line calling. He wrote: "Just gonna leave this one here, this was called in. Interesting call."
Donna Vekic, Martina Navratilova and Boris Becker threw their support behind Zverev. This is the latest incident of this in the sport with Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka both sharing images in recent days of dodgy line calls.
Now it seems to be one that is creeping into all facets of both ATP and WTA and especially on clay is magnified.
Alexander Zverev posts a photo of a ball mark that was called ‘in’ by electronic line calling.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 27, 2025
“Interesting call”
👀 pic.twitter.com/AQ5KXhToML
Casper Ruud shares message amid Liverpool FC Premier League win
It wasn't only Casper Ruud that was victorious on Sunday but Liverpool FC also became Premier League champions for the 20th time.
Ruud celebrated the feat with his on camera message with #YNWA #20 referencing it. While not much is known about his love for Liverpool and why he supports the team, Ruud has spoken about it before saying it was going to a tournament there.
"When I was 10 years old I went to Liverpool to play a junior tournament with a Norwegian guy who arranged it to play against other British players on grass. It was the first time I ever played on grass," Ruud said, per Tennis Majors.
"Then he took us to the stadium. I bought the jersey of Fernando Torres when he played in the team many years ago now. From then it's just been natural for me to support them.
Casper Ruud 🤝 @LFC #MMOpen pic.twitter.com/dAiNEObGCb
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 27, 2025
'We've all been there' - Korda misses ball entirely during loss
It wasn't Sebastian Korda's day that is for sure and he showed that during his attempt at a return which looked like Joe Bloggs playing tennis for the first time.
Korda went to return but shanked it and missed the ball entirely. Tennis TV captioned it: 'We've all been there'. He went on to lose his battle of second generation tennis stars this evening.
We've all been there 🙈#MMOpen pic.twitter.com/EyEaZmUWG7
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 27, 2025
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
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