Daily Dose of Social Media: Halep and Badosa training in Dubai as Alcaraz steals the show in New York

In today’s Daily Dose of Social Media, we review the most notable activities and Entertainment from ATP and WTA players. Simona Halep surprised by training with Paula Badosa in Dubai, while Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton stole the spotlight at Madison Square the previous night. On the other hand, Venus Williams was honored for her cultural impact at an event in Miami.

Simona Halep joins Paula Badosa in Dubai to prepare for the 2025 season

Simona Halep, former World No. 1, is training with Paula Badosa in Dubai as she aims to regain consistency and regularity ahead of the upcoming season. After a challenging period in her career, the Romanian appears determined to return to the level that earned her two Grand Slam titles.

The pre-season block alongside Badosa could be a pivotal step for Halep as she seeks to rediscover her best form in time for the demanding Australian swing. For her part, the Catalan is more motivated than ever to climb the rankings and has invited Halep to join her training sessions under the Dubai sun.

“Very nice to see these photos from Simona and Paula Badosa after they had practice together in Dubai for their preseason training. The 2025 season is not that far away!,” the Romanian Tennis X account posted, sharing images from Halep’s Instagram story.

Emma Navarro defeats Jessica Pegula at Madison Square Garden

The iconic Madison Square Garden hosted an exciting evening of tennis, featuring two exhibition matches that brought together some of the most notable names on the circuit. In the women’s showdown, Emma Navarro triumphed over Jessica Pegula in a tightly contested all-American clash, securing victory with scores of 7-6 and 7-5.

The match unfolded in a relaxed atmosphere, typical of such events, allowing the players to showcase their skills while engaging with the New York crowd. The close scoreline reflected the high level of both athletes, with points that kept spectators captivated throughout.

A unique aspect of the evening was the interaction between Navarro and Pegula, who shared a light-hearted interview after the first set, highlighting their camaraderie and sense of humour. For Navarro, this win in such a legendary venue serves as a confidence boost as she continues to establish herself on the tour. Meanwhile, Pegula, currently world No. 7, enjoyed the challenge and the distinctive vibe of the event, which brought fans together to celebrate top-tier tennis in a more casual format.

“Craaazy getting to play @thegarden thanks @tennisnightout for having us, loved every second,” Pegula shared on social media after the match.

Carlos Alcaraz shines at Madison Square Garden

Carlos Alcaraz returned to the spotlight in New York, a city etched in his memory following his US Open victory in 2022. This time, the Spanish sensation showcased his talent at The Garden Cup, a special exhibition that paid homage to Madison Square Garden’s storied history with tennis, harking back to its days hosting the Masters Cup, now known as the ATP Finals.

Alcaraz faced rising star Ben Shelton in a match that delivered excitement and thrilling moments. After dropping the first set 4-6, the Spaniard rebounded with a commanding 6-2 performance in the second set and secured the win in a super tie-break with a 7-4 scoreline.

Despite the friendly nature of the event and its relaxed format, the intensity of play and the quality of the rallies captivated the crowd. Alcaraz’s ability to adapt and thrill in any setting reaffirmed his status as a fan favourite, while Shelton impressed with his energy and potential on one of tennis’s most iconic stages. “Great night at Madison Square Garden! 😍 It’s been amazing to play here! @tennisnightout 🔥 🔜 Charlotte,” Carlos Alcaraz posted. “Last night @thegarden was a movie 🍿Thanks to everyone with @tennisnightout that made it happen. Hope I’ll be back again 🙏🏽”

Venus Williams honored by Cultured Magazine 

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams was recently honored by Cultured magazine, which included her in its inaugural "Cult 100" list. This recognition celebrates influential individuals whose impact goes beyond their primary discipline. The magazine, known as the "leading voice for inspiration" at the crossroads of art, design, and style, acknowledges Williams not only for her tennis career but also for her significant contributions off the court.

Venus Williams has demonstrated remarkable versatility beyond tennis. Recently, she launched her AI-based interior design firm, Palazzo, showcasing her passion for art and technology. Despite the challenges of venturing into a new field, Williams compares her perseverance in business to the resilience she showed in her tennis career, overcoming adversity and maintaining a competitive mindset.

"I am so proud of my achievements on the court, but I take even greater pride in what I’ve accomplished beyond it," Williams stated. "Early on in my career, I utilized my platform to make a positive impact, whether through tennis or my design firm, V Starr. I like to think that my decisions to stand up for what’s right—and be an advocate for gender equity and women’s empowerment—has inspired the next generation."

Coco Gauff defends Apple Music, calls out haters in playful rant

Coco Gauff recently shared her thoughts on the ongoing debate between Apple Music and Spotify, addressing what she perceives as an unfair bias against Apple Music. In a playful yet passionate statement, she defended the music streaming service, highlighting its features that she appreciates, such as top album and genre rankings, spatial audio, and detailed monthly and yearly replay reports. Gauff expressed frustration with the strong reactions from Spotify users, who seem to take offense at seeing Apple Music screenshots.

“why is everyone an apple music hater?? we get to see our top albums, top genres, have spatial audio, and get a monthly replay report on top of the yearly one. I like spotify but the fan base can’t stand to see an apple music screenshot. you would think I killed their dog chile😭"