Today in our Daily Dose of Social Media, we review the top activities and entertainment from ATP and WTA players. An incredible promotional video left the ‘Six Kings Slam’ with a sci-fi short movie featuring Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, and Holger Rune.
As the first rounds unfold at the China Open, Aryna Sabalenka secured the shot of the day in her debut, while Zheng Qinwen received an amazing welcome in her first match in her home country as an Olympic champion.
Tennis titans shine in “Six Kings Slam” promo
The upcoming “Six Kings Slam” dressed its stars as superheroes in a new promotional video for the exhibition tournament, making it one of the best tennis event promotions ever seen. In February this year, the tournament’s stars were announced for the event in Riyadh, which will take place from October 16 to 19.
The draw is star-studded, featuring the return of Rafael Nadal after withdrawing from the Laver Cup, alongside Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, and Holger Rune. Just a few weeks before the event kicks off, a promotional video was released, presenting the players as if in a sci-fi movie.
Cyborg Alcaraz, Sandman Nadal, and Viking Rune were part of the incredible production showcased in the 5-minute short film, which received high praise on social media. The tournament format will start with quarterfinals, featuring Sinner vs. Medvedev and Alcaraz vs. Rune, while tennis legends Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal await in the second round. The third and fourth place match will be played on day 3, followed by the final.
Danish player Rune called it the “Best promotion video for an exhibition event that I have ever seen” and later added, “We were participating in the shooting the week before the Monte Carlo tournament. The Final Cut here is amazing to watch.” Meanwhile, Medvedev also shared the video: “How incredible is this!!! Can’t wait to play this event. See you in October. #SixKingsSlam #RiyadhSeason.”
Djokovic @DjokerNole, Nadal @RafaelNadal, Alcaraz @Carlosalcaraz, Sinner @janniksin, Medvedev @daniilMedwed, and Rune @holgerrune2003
6 Kings 👑 One Throne 🎾 Who will emerge victorious in the ultimate battle at this Riyadh Season? 🔥🇸🇦
The Venue 📍
October 16 – 17 – 19 🗓️… pic.twitter.com/qumLRFPpQS— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) September 28, 2024
Best promotion video for an exhibition event that I have ever seen 🎥 https://t.co/1cLyZlaNj2
— Holger Rune (@holgerrune2003) September 28, 2024
— Daniil Medvedev (@DaniilMedwed) September 28, 2024
Aryna Sabalenka dazzles with ‘Shot of the Day
Aryna Sabalenka is almost undoubtedly the most in-form player on the WTA Tour, currently riding a 13-match winning streak after titles at the Cincinnati Open and the US Open. The Belarusian made her debut at the WTA 1000 China Open against Thai qualifier Manancha Sawangkaew (No. 187) with a 6-4, 6-1 victory.
Her title win at Flushing Meadows put Sabalenka in contention for the world No. 1 spot, challenging Iga Swiatek, who had seemed out of reach just a few weeks ago due to a large point difference. Sabalenka is the favourite in Beijing, and if she wins the title, she will close the gap to less than 300 points behind Swiatek.
If anyone had doubts about Sabalenka’s impressive form, her Asian Swing debut left no room for them, as she delivered the shot of the day, proving her game is more than just power. The world No. 2 used powerful shots across the court, but Sawangkaew managed to return them all. Sabalenka then switched it up with an incredible dropshot, leaving her opponent stunned.
https://twitter.com/ChinaOpen/status/1840059305892155737
Zhang Shuai’s emotional in Beijing: “Dreams forever young”
The return to China at this point in the year has marked a resurgence for 35-year-old Zhang Shuai. One of the most prominent tennis players in Chinese history, Zhang had endured a historic losing streak of 24 consecutive defeats over more than 600 days without a victory. She had also dropped down to world No. 776 just a few weeks ago. Zhang entered the top 30 for the first time in 2014 and in 2023 reached her career-high ranking of world No. 22 earlier this year.
Zhang received a wild card in Beijing and made her debut with a hard-fought win over McCartney Kessler, 7-6, 7-6. But she didn’t stop there. On Friday, she faced the sixth seed, Emma Navarro, and secured an impressive victory, 6-4, 6-2—her first win over a top-10 player since 2022.
Despite a calm reaction on the court, Zhang expressed heartfelt gratitude to her fans on social media after enduring two difficult seasons. She now advances to the third round, where she will face Greet Minnen. “🫶❤️👊 Thanks, you have been waiting for a while … dreaming no matter how old you are, the dreams are forever young,” Zhang posted on her social media.
https://twitter.com/zhangshuai121/status/1839871355749019885
Zheng Qinwen receives hero’s welcome in Beijing
Zheng Qinwen became a heroine for China at just 21 years old after winning the gold medal in women’s singles—an unprecedented achievement for the Asian country. “Queenwen” received an incredible reception from the crowd in her victory over Kamila Rakhimova, 6-1, 6-1.
Chinese tennis fans, known for their affection toward all players, were more enthusiastic than ever to welcome Zheng in her first tournament in China after a season where she was runner-up at the Australian Open and later claimed a historic gold medal, including a semifinal victory over the nearly unbeatable Iga Swiatek on clay. The main stadium in Beijing was packed as Zheng made her deafening entrance onto the court.
https://twitter.com/WTA/status/1839989038226248072
https://twitter.com/ChinaOpen/status/1840047390801441141
