In a new Daily Dose of Social Media, we take a look at some of the day’s most notable moments. Roger Federer joined Coco Gauff and Jannik Sinner in a new ad for his sponsor Rolex, while Rafael Nadal was recently seen chatting with some WTA young stars, including a couple of junior Grand Slam champions.
Rolex unveils new advert featuring Federer, Sinner, and Gauff
Rolex’s latest commercial stars some of the biggest names in tennis, led by Roger Federer. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and American World No. 3 Coco Gauff also make appearances in the video. The short spot showcases several of the luxury watch brand’s iconic sports ambassadors, though Carlos Alcaraz was notably absent this time
The 20-time Grand Slam champion, has been partnered with Rolex since 2006 in what remains the brand’s most lucrative deal with a tennis player. The company has also previously worked with Stefan Edberg and Caroline Wozniacki. Following Federer’s retirement, Rolex has continued investing in tennis, adding Gauff, Sinner, and Alcaraz to its roster in recent years.
Swiatek reflects on Dubai defeat: “The grind never stops”
Iga Swiatek bowed out of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships after a tough loss to Mirra Andreeva but took to social media to thank fans for their support. The 5-time Grand Slam champion acknowledged her disappointment and expressed her determination to improve after visibly struggling against the Russian teenager.
The World No. 2 faces a major challenge in her upcoming tournaments at Indian Wells and the Miami Open. She will first defend her Indian Wells title, where she defeated Maria Sakkari in the final, before competing in Miami, where she reached the Round of 16 last year. Strong performances will be crucial for Swiatek to stay in contention with Sabalenka for the top ranking.
“Obviously not the results and performance I wanted this year and I needed few hours to process it. Nevertheless, the train and grind never stop, right? So now quick time to regroup and learn a lesson. Looking forward to seeing you in Tennis Paradise very soon. Thank you Doha, thank you Dubai.”
Leylah Fernandez shares motivational message amid tour struggles
Leylah Fernandez posted a behind-the-scenes video of her career alongside an inspiring message. The World No. 30 shared footage of her training, meeting fans, and spending time with children during media days while traveling the world.
The Canadian burst onto the tennis scene after reaching the 2021 US Open final, defeating three top-5 players along the way before falling to Britain’s Emma Raducanu.
Despite the challenges, Fernandez remains grateful for the life she leads as a professional athlete. “Through the ups and downs, I love this life. All the people I meet, the places I go & the memories I make,” she wrote.
The former World No. 13 competed at the Dubai Open this week but suffered an early exit, losing 2-6, 2-6 to Belgium’s Elise Mertens.
Jack Draper showcases sandwich-making skills in ATP challenge
A new ATP video features Jack Draper taking on a fun ‘Sliced and Served’ challenge, where he had to prepare a sandwich while answering questions. The British No. 1 named his creation “Draper’s Ham and Cheese” in a lighthearted clip with food influencer Willy Cook.
“He’s serving on the court right now, but how does Draper fare serving up a sandwich? 🤨 Time to find out…” ATP’s official Instagram account posted.
The World No. 16 recently reached his first final of the season after a thrilling comeback win against Jiri Lehecka, 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-3. The 23-year-old has overcome an early-season injury and currently holds a 7-1 record this year. Draper will now aim for his third career title on Sunday, facing World No. 10 Andrey Rublev, who defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semifinals.
Alex de Minaur reflects on Qatar Open exit
Alex de Minaur bid farewell to the Qatar Open and shared some photos from his time in Doha, where he fell in the quarter-finals against Andrey Rublev. The Australian played a great match against the Russian but was ultimately eliminated in a tight battle, losing 1-6, 6-3, 6-7[8-10].
Despite the defeat, De Minaur will remain world No. 8 in the next ranking update and is now preparing for his next challenge at Indian Wells in early March. “Tennis is a brutal sport sometimes, but happy with my effort leaving it all out there. Life moves on and we go onto the next week! Thank you Doha and @qatartennis ❤️🇶🇦”
Clara Tauson breaks down her Dubai quarter-final win
Clara Tauson analysed her recent quarter-final victory over Linda Noskova. The Danish player is enjoying a strong run on the WTA Tour and is one of the in-form players at the start of the year, boasting a 15-3 record and already securing a title at the ASB Classic.
The 22-year-old is on an impressive run at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and has now reached the tournament final after defeating 14th seed Karolina Muchova in the semi-finals.
On her way to the final, Tauson had already beaten Rebecca Sramkova, Elina Svitolina, top seed Aryna Sabalenka, and Linda Noskova. In a recent WTA video, Tauson broke down her win against the Czech young star, reviewing match highlights and sharing her insights on how she felt throughout the match.
Nadal shares wisdom with young WTA talents at his academy
Rafael Nadal spent the day with some of the WTA’s rising stars at the Rafa Nadal Academy. The 22-time Grand Slam champion appeared in several photos from the academy, seen talking with some of the top female prospects.
Among the players who spent time with Nadal were 17-year-old Alina Korneeva (No. 278), the 2024 Australian Open junior champion, and 19-year-old Filipina Alexandra Eala (No. 137), the 2022 US Open junior champion.
“Learning, enjoying and sharing time and experiences with these young and talented players at the @rafanadalacademy,” Nadal posted on Instagram. “Congratulations for everything you are achieving and for your great work on the court and with your studies. Good luck in your next challenges on the @wta tour! 💪🏼”
