In a new
Daily Dose of Social Media, we review the moments that stole attention on social media, with the WTA players' party as the event that marked Saturday night and from which photos were recently released. The players attended in elegant attire at the traditional dinner that kicks off the tournament in Montreal, with
Bianca Andreescu,
Daria Kasatkina,
Mirra Andreeva, and
Beatriz Haddad Maia among the stars present.
On the other hand,
Aryna Sabalenka continues to enjoy her days off and was present at the latest Coldplay concert, while
Alexander Zverev is taking advantage of his stay in Toronto to visit golf courses and find a distraction before his debut in the upcoming Masters 1000 tournament.
Sabalenka finds solace at Coldplay concert
Aryna Sabalenka made an appearance at a Coldplay concert as she enjoys some time off before her return. After her semifinal loss at Wimbledon, Sabalenka decided to disconnect a bit from tennis and use the transition period from the European swing to the North American hardcourt swing to take some well-deserved rest before returning to the courts. The Belarusian in fact decided not to participate in the
Canadian Open – citing the need for physical rest for what's to come in the season.
Her return will be in a couple of weeks at the Cincinnati Open, where she is the defending champion. It will be her only hardcourt tournament serving as preparation for the US Open – where she also defends the crown. The world No. 1 will need good results in both tournaments if she intends to stay at the top of the ranking, with her rivals Coco Gauff and
Iga Swiatek closing the gap in the last month, and both with the possibility of getting even closer this week at the Canadian Open – where they will be the first and second seeds respectively.
Zverev hits the golf course in Toronto
Alexander Zverev appeared in a video playing golf in Canada, as he prepares for the start of the Toronto Open. The world No. 3 is one of many tennis players who enjoy golf in their free time, an activity that usually helps them relax and change the pressure of the tennis courts. Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Carlos Alcaraz, and Casper Ruud are among the notable players who have taken up golf as a regular hobby while traveling on the ATP Tour.
Zverev took advantage of his stay in Toronto to visit Osprey Valley before making his tournament debut. The German already knows his second-round opponent: Australian Adam Walton, who overcame Benjamin Bonzi coming from a set down (4-6, 6-0, 6-3). Zverev is the first seed of the tournament, taking advantage of the absences of Alcaraz and Sinner, so it will be a remarkable opportunity to accumulate points and fight for the title – at a time when he needs confidence if he wants to threaten the dominance of Sinner and Alcaraz from the last couple of years.
Canadian Open kicks off with star-studded players' party
As the Canadian Open began – with its first round starting this Monday, July 28 – the stars of the ATP and WTA gathered for the traditional players' party that marks the start of the tournament. Several of the big names currently drawing attention on the tour graced the red carpet, including Mirra Andreeva posing alongside Conchita Martinez, and the presence of players like Bianca Andreescu, Daria Kasatkina, Diana Shnaider, and Beatriz Haddad Maia.
Joao Fonseca steals the spotlight at Canadian Open
At the start of the Canadian Open, one of the players stealing the spotlight is João Fonseca, the teenage star making his first appearance at the tournament. The Brazilian has had a remarkable ascent this season, winning his first professional title at the Argentina Open and reaching the top 50 at just 18 years old, which makes him the youngest player within the top 200.
The Brazilian was training at one of the main stadiums in Toronto and also took the time to participate in a fun video for social media, where he joked with Casper Ruud in a funny Instagram trend. Fonseca awaits his debut this Monday, July 28th, against Australian qualifier Tristan Schoolkate. Should he win, he will face Italian Matteo Arnaldi, the 32nd seed, in the next round.
Iga Swiatek shares sweet moment with ball kids
Iga Swiatek used her days leading up to her debut in Montreal to spend time with the tournament's ball kids team, with whom she took a photo posted on the tournament's social media. The six-time Grand Slam champion arrives at the Canadian Open with supreme confidence after winning her first Wimbledon title, defeating Amanda Anisimova in the final with a resounding 6-0, 6-0.
The Pole will be the second seed in Montreal, and will face the winner between Yulia Putintseva and qualifier Hanyu Guo. Swiatek is slowly beginning to close the gap on Sabalenka at the top of the ranking, and this week she is not defending any points, having not played the tournament in 2024 due to injury.