Daily Dose of Social Media: Jasmine Paolini and Beatriz Haddad Maia honoured with Billie Jean King Cup Heart Awards

Jasmine Paolini and Beatriz Haddad Maia were honoured with the Billie Jean King Cup Heart Award, with a prize that can be donated to any charity of their choice. We revisit the thank-you videos shared by the players in a new Daily Dose of Social Media.

Just hours before the start of the Next Gen ATP Finals, the eight qualified players enjoyed a relaxing day and shared a photo on a private yacht, setting competition aside just one day before their debut. Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz and Jessica Pegula were among those who reflected on their season highlights.

Paolini and Haddad Maia grateful after receiving the Heart Award

Beatriz Haddad Maia expressed her gratitude after receiving the Heart Award for her performance in the Billie Jean King Cup Play-Offs. The award recognises players who represent their countries with distinction and demonstrate outstanding attitude and commitment to their teams.

This marks the third time the Brazilian has won the Heart Award, equalling Canada’s Leylah Fernandez as the award’s most frequent recipient. Haddad Maia also secured $3,000 in prize money for a charity of her choice.

“Hey guys, it’s Bia here. I’m here to thank everyone who supported me and Brazil at the Billie Jean King Cup, and also for helping me to win the Play-off Heart Award, which means a lot for me because it’s not something only about me, it’s also about someone else’s life. I’m very proud of me and my team because of that, so thanks ITF for the opportunity and thanks to everyone who voted for me.”

Haddad Maia frequently contributes to charities in Brazil. She recently visited the Centro Gaspar Garcia in São Paulo, a foundation she supported in 2022 after winning the award for the first time.

Read also

Daily Dose of Social Media: Draper spotlights Alzheimer’s awareness as Raducanu teams up with new fitness coach

On the other hand, the standout winner was Jasmine Paolini, who claimed the Heart Award for her performance in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. She becomes the first Italian to win the award since Flavia Pennetta in 2015.

The World No. 4 was Italy’s hero, leading the European team to the final and securing a crucial singles victory over Rebecca Šramková. Paolini also paired with Sara Errani throughout the tournament in decisive doubles matches.

“Winning this Award means a lot to me. I’m really happy, proud and honoured, and I would like to thank all the people that chose to vote for me,” Paolini said. “I would like to donate the $10,000 to the non-profit organisation Make a Wish Italia. I hope to be able to contribute, even in a small way, to their valuable work to fulfil the wishes of children suffering from serious diseases.”

Read also

Daily Dose of Social Media: Zheng Qinwen calls on fans with a Chinese lesson, Serena Williams attends wedding alongside singer Lana Del Rey

The Next Gen pose on a Yacht in Jeddah ahead of tournament kickoff

Everything is set for the Next Gen ATP Finals to begin this Wednesday, December 18, in Saudi Arabia. The event brings together the top eight players under 20, dividing them into a round-robin phase with two groups of four players each. The top two players from each group advance to the semi-finals, following a format similar to the ATP and WTA Finals.

Although the tournament does not award ATP ranking points, it offers significant prize money, with over $500,000 for an undefeated champion and a total prize pool exceeding $2,000,000.

Group 1 includes Arthur Fils, Jakub Mensik, Learner Tien, and Joao Fonseca. Group 2 is led by Juncheng Shang, alongside Alex Michelsen, Luca Van Assche, and Nishesh Basavareddy.

The tournament has a history of producing future stars, with notable past champions like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who made their mark early on the ATP Tour. Last year’s champion, Serbia’s Hamad Medjedovic, battled injuries throughout this season but managed to close the year on a high note, reaching the final of the ATP 250 Belgrade Open, where he fell to Denis Shapovalov.

Read also

"There were months I cried at home": Rafael Nadal reflects on mental and physical struggles

“US Open final, for sure”: Alcaraz, Pegula and more reflects on season highlights

Carlos Alcaraz stole the spotlight last week at Madison Square Garden during an exhibition event, where he was joined by American stars Jessica Pegula, Ben Shelton, and Emma Navarro. In a recent video shared on social media, each player reflected on their standout moment from the 2024 season.

“Making the finals in Basel this year was a really cool kind of end-of-season run for me, where some of my best tennis came out,” Ben Shelton shared. “Best off-court experience? My two favourite countries are Switzerland and Japan. Being in Zurich and being in Tokyo were probably my two favourite weeks of the year,” the 22-year-old American added.

“US Open final, for sure,” responded World No. 7 Jessica Pegula without hesitation. The American reached her first Grand Slam final but fell to Aryna Sabalenka. “I think the run I went on between Toronto, Cincy, and the US Open—it doesn’t happen very often in a career. To have that stretch, it went by so fast, but looking back, that’s definitely the highlight of my year.”

Emma Navarro also highlighted her impressive run to the US Open semi-finals, while the 4-time Grand Slam champion (unnamed here) chose winning the Channel Slam—claiming both the French Open and Wimbledon titles just three weeks apart—as their season highlight.

Read also

Former Andy Murray coach joins discussion after Iga Swiatek labelled ‘most unlikeable No. 1’

David Goffin shares court with Federer during pre-season training in Dubai

David Goffin received a special visit during his final pre-season training session, welcoming none other than the 20-time Grand Slam champion to the practice court in Dubai. Goffin ended the season ranked World No. 52, a remarkable ranking considering there are only three older players ahead of him: Novak Djokovic (No. 7), Jan-Lennard Struff (No. 42), and Roberto Bautista Agut (No. 51).

The 34-year-old Belgian shone during his best years on Tour between 2015 and 2019, reaching the final of the 2017 ATP Finals, the 2019 Cincinnati final, and finishing as runner-up in the Davis Cup with Belgium in 2015 and 2017. The former World No. 7 is one of the few players to have defeated members of the Big Three (Federer, Rafa Nadal, and Novak Djokovic).

In photos shared on social media, Goffin can be seen chatting with Federer as he prepares for the 2025 season. In their 11 encounters, the Swiss holds a dominant 10-1 head-to-head lead. Goffin's lone victory came in the semifinals of the 2017 ATP Finals, where he came back from a set down to defeat Federer 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Unlock your ultimate tennis experience—subscribe today for exclusive access to top stories.

Subscribe