Daily Dose of Social Media: Iga Swiatek's pre-match juggling routine and Felix Auger-Aliassime’s shirt incident

In a new Daily Dose of Social Media, we review the fun moments starring ATP and WTA players during the Australian Open. Felix Auger-Aliassime provided a humorous moment as he struggled to take off his shirt during his second-round match, while Ben Shelton showed off his new celebration.

In women's doubles, one of the favorite pairs had their match interrupted when Gabriela Dabrowski was hit hard in the head by a ball from her partner Erin Routliffe. On the other hand, Iga Swiatek focused by juggling as she prepared to face Emma Raducanu.

Felix Auger-Aliassime’s Struggles: A battle against Davidovich Fokina and his shirt

Felix Auger-Aliassime had a humorous moment during his Australian Open clash against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The Canadian was two sets up after tight tiebreaks, but his level dropped, and the Spaniard pulled off an epic comeback after more than five hours: 6-7(7), 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-1, 6-3. Davidovich will face teenage sensation Jakub Mensik in the third round.

During the match, while up two sets, Auger-Aliassime had an extended struggle with his shirt as cameras captured him trying to change on court. Perhaps a sign of things to come, as the Canadian let slip what seemed like a secured victory. The Australian Open’s social media humorously compared the moment to the hatching scene from Jurassic Park: “Remember the scene in Jurassic Park when the baby Velociraptor was struggling to hatch and Richard Attenborough’s John Hammond was encouraging it to do so? Same energy 👇.”

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Doubles mishap sparks laughter

A hilarious moment unfolded during the doubles match between Erin Routliffe and Gabriela Dabrowski against Desirae Krawczyk and Danielle Collins. The second-seeded specialists staged a comeback after losing the first set to secure victory: 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Midway through the second set, with Routliffe serving, the Australian hit a powerful shot that accidentally struck her Canadian partner, Dabrowski, on the head. The incident caused laughter, especially after Dabrowski signaled she was fine, prompting Routliffe to chuckle on court. The second seeds will face the Czech Republic's Anna Siskova and the Brit Maia Lumsden in the second round for a place in the Round of 16 of the first Slam of the year.

Fun at Melbourne Park: Stars try mini-golf

Australian Open stars took a break from competition to enjoy a game of mini-golf in Melbourne Park’s hallways. Players like Taylor Fritz, Jack Draper, Carlos Alcaraz, Zheng Qinwen, and Daria Saville participated in the fun event organized by the Australian Open. The players faced challenges in their attempts, but did anyone manage to score a hole-in-one?

The men’s and women’s singles draws have already determined the 32 players who reached the Round of 32, and this Friday, the third round begins as they fight for a spot in the second week. So far, major early eliminations include Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Casper Ruud, Zheng Qinwen, and Karolina Muchova.

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Ben Shelton debuts a new celebration

Ben Shelton unveiled a new celebration at this year’s Australian Open, leaving behind his iconic hang up the phone gesture. The American World No. 20 reached the third round without much difficulty, defeating Brandon Nakashima and Pablo Carreño Busta. The 21st seed will face Lorenzo Musetti for a spot in the second week.

After his victory over Carreño Busta, Shelton animatedly nodded toward the crowd in a calm yet spirited reaction. This marks a departure from his viral hang up the phone celebration from the 2023 US Open, which was famously mimicked by Novak Djokovic after defeating Shelton in the semifinals.

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(VIDEO) Danielle Collins riles up Australian Open crowd, blows kisses and puts her hands to her ears after Destanee Aiava win

Alex Michelsen’s towel dilemma with a young fan

Alex Michelsen had a peculiar moment with a young fan who asked for one of the towels he used during his second-round match at the Australian Open. The American has been performing impressively at the Happy Slam, defeating 11th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas and later local star James McCabe in straight sets.

After the match, as Michelsen was packing his belongings to leave the court, a child in the crowd shouted, asking him for the towel. However, the towel already had a designated recipient. Michelsen humorously explained: “My mom wants one. I need to keep it, dude, I’m not gonna lie to you, I mean seriously.”

The 21-year-old quickly exited the court after the interaction. Now, for the second consecutive year, Michelsen has made it to the third round of the Aussie Open and will aim to surpass that milestone for the first time in his career in a Grand Slam main draw. He is set to face the ever-challenging Karen Khachanov (19th seed), who has already eliminated Adrian Mannarino and Gabriel Diallo.

Iga Swiatek shows her focus before matches: Juggling with tennis balls

Iga Swiatek demonstrated her intense concentration in front of the cameras at Melbourne Park, where she was captured juggling three tennis balls just minutes before her second-round match against Rebecca Sramkova (6-0, 6-2), all while wearing headphones.

The 5-time Grand Slam champion has been in great form at the Australian Open, matching her 2024 record, where she was defeated in the third round by Linda Noskova. This time, she will face 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, who arrives full of confidence after defeating Amanda Anisimova. It will be the fourth encounter between Swiatek and Raducanu, as the Polish player continues building confidence to challenge Sabalenka’s reign in Melbourne.

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