Daily Dose of Social Media: Tennis stars react to Nick Kyrgios’ iconic tweener as Emma Raducanu shares behind-the-scenes photos from Miami Open

In a new Daily Dose of Social Media, Emma Raducanu shared the best moments of her time at the Miami Open with a series of behind-the-scenes photos from her WTA 1000 run. Meanwhile, ATP and WTA stars reacted to a fantastic tweener by Nick Kyrgios from a few years ago.

Additionally, several challenges took place, featuring names like Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Novak Djokovic, and Sebastian Korda, among others, in a fun game session during the media day of the tournament, with videos revealed by the organizers in Miami.

ATP and WTA Stars face ‘NFL target challenge’

ATP and WTA stars took part in a fun video at the Miami Open, where they faced an ‘NFL target challenge’, throwing an American football at a target. It wasn’t easy for the players, though. With Novak Djokovic, Coco Gauff, Sebastian Korda, and Aryna Sabalenka, among others, the stars had fun during the media day before the tournament started.

In the women’s draw, Aryna Sabalenka has already secured her spot in the final and is awaiting the winner between Jessica Pegula and Alexandra Eala. On the men's side, Jakub Mensik and Grigor Dimitrov reached the semifinals and are waiting for the results of the Fritz-Berrettini and Djokovic-Korda matchups.

Some of the stars also shared what’s on their phones, with Ben Shelton, Iga Swiatek, Frances Tiafoe, and Jasmine Paolini, among others, showing their phone’s background screens.

Tennis stars react to Kyrgios’ iconic tweener

In a Tennis TV video, the stars reacted to one of the best shots of Australian Nick Kyrgios’ career, as he described it: a remarkable tweener in the 2019 Miami Open against Borna Coric. The Australian said, "Arguably one of the most ridiculous tweeners anyone’s ever hit, and the crowd was going ballistic." Some of the players who reacted to the video included Kyrgios himself, Hubert Hurkacz, Australian Open champion Madison Keys, and Jessica Pegula.

Fernandez encourages Tennis Among Youth 

Leylah Fernandez participated in an activity with children during ‘Women’s History Month,’ organized by the Tour sponsor ‘Morgan Stanley.’ The Canadian has consistently shown her commitment to encouraging tennis among young people and recently launched a partnership between her foundation, the “Leylah Annie /& Family Foundation,” and “First Serve Miami,” aimed at promoting tennis for children and teens aged 5 to 18.

The former US Open runner-up reached the third round of the Miami Open but was defeated by local Ashlyn Krueger 2-6, 5-7. The Canadian is reportedly taking a few weeks to regroup in preparation for the clay season, with her first tournament being the Madrid Open in three weeks.

Raducanu shares Miami Open Highlights

Emma Raducanu made the most of her time at the Miami Open despite her quarterfinal loss to Jessica Pegula. The 2021 US Open champion had never reached the quarterfinals of a WTA 1000 tournament before, in addition to securing her first win against a top-10 player on hardcourts in her career. However, Pegula played her best tennis in a tight match and ultimately triumphed 6-4, 6-7, 6-2.

The Brit showcased some of her best tennis and guaranteed her return to the top-50 for the first time since 2020. Although Raducanu has not been very consistent on the Tour since her Flushing Meadows title, she seems to be slowly finding her form again and is steadily rising in the rankings, with not many points to defend during the clay season, after struggling with an injury last year that limited her to just two tournaments on the surface.

Raducanu shared some photos from on-court and others while strolling around the city, both at the beach and within the Miami Open complex, even posing with her team in some pictures. The Brit’s next challenge will be at the WTA 250 Rouen Open, a week before facing the Madrid Open.

Millie Bobby Brown watches Sabalenka’s impressive win

A luxury spectator attended Aryna Sabalenka’s match, as renowned actress Millie Bobby Brown, famously known for her role in the Netflix series Stranger Things, was present. The 21-year-old actress closely followed the performance of the World No. 1 at the Hard Rock Stadium, where the Belarusian secured a dominant 6-2, 6-2 victory over Jasmine Paolini.

The 3-time Grand Slam champion advanced to the final of the Miami Open – her 11th WTA 1000 final – where she will await her opponent, either No. 4 Jessica Pegula (in a potential repeat of the 2024 US Open final) or teen sensation Alexandra Eala, who has already knocked out Madison Keys and Iga Świątek in her first victories over top-5 players, marking her debut appearance at this stage of such a prestigious tournament.

Danielle Collins shares heartwarming story of rescuing ‘Crash’

Danielle Collins shared some photos of the new dog she adopted following her time at the Miami Open. The former World No. 8 has frequently expressed her love for dogs and is often seen traveling with her Labradoodle, Quincy, with whom she even appeared at the Hard Rock Stadium a year ago during the award ceremony after winning her first WTA 1000 title at the Miami Open.

This week, Collins rescued a dog she found injured in the middle of the road. She decided to intervene, took the dog to the vet, and after its recovery, she decided to adopt it, naming it "Crash."

"Crash is recovering and finally out of the hospital after five days on oxygen support," Collins said on Instagram. "His breathing is back to normal, his wounds are healing, and he's definitely enjoying all the love he's receiving. He's curious, affectionate, and grateful for a second chance at life. It was so incredibly painful to witness a dog in so much pain after being hit by a car and left in the middle of the road with so many people driving by his curled-up body."

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