Daily Dose of Social Media: The Aryna Sabalenka checkmark controversy as Monfils teaches daughter tennis while Svitolina reaches Rouen final
WTASaturday, 19 April 2025 at 23:30
It is Saturday 19 April and it is time for the Daily Dose of Social Media which features some of the best entertainment over the past day in both ATP and WTA.
From Stuttgart to Barcelona to Rouen, it is all covered in the Daily Dose of Social Media. From a double dose of Aryna Sabalenka with the checkmark controversy to Jasmine Paolini hoping she doesn't get killed tomorrow after jinxing herself.
While Carlos Alcaraz faces childhood friend Holger Rune tomorrow with some new moves busted post match by the confident Spaniard. As Elina Svitolina makes the final in Rouen with double reason to celebrate as daughter Skai seems to be following in the family footsteps. With also hope that the whole family could be in fact at the final tomorrow.
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'Maybe tomorrow Sabalenka will kill me' - Paolini stops herself being jinxed
Aryna Sabalenka will face Jasmine Paolini tomorrow but the hilarious post match interview from the Italian harbours the hope that she doesn't get killed tomorrow by the World Number One.
Paolini saw off Coco Gauff superbly on Saturday as the American just continued to fall flat amid the brilliance too of the Italian who has employed the services of a certain Marc Lopez for this run in.
But she also sealed her first top 10 win in nigh on 10 months despite being a top 10 player for most of that run. She was asked about that and said that often she would lose easily but then stopped herself before she jinxed herself against Sabalenka speaking to Andrea Petkovic.
"My goal is to have chances to win. Before I would lose [to top players] like 6-2, 6-1. Well I don’t want to say that because maybe tomorrow Sabalenka will kill me."
Jasmine Paolini after beating Coco Gauff in Stuttgart
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 19, 2025
“My goal is to have chances to win. Before I would lose [to top players] like 6-2, 6-1… well I don’t want to say that because maybe tomorrow Sabalenka will kill me” 😂😂😂
pic.twitter.com/L54h70lKiR
The Sabalenka checkmark controversy
Speaking of the World No.1 and current queen of the sport, Aryna Sabalenka, she had her own issues against Elise Mertens.
Not in terms of the scoreline that was as one sided as it comes but in terms of line calling. Ironically it wasn't Jelena Ostapenko who merely raised an eyebrow at a call instead of complaining during her win overt Iga Swiatek.
But Sabalenka went a step further as she took out her mobile phone to collect evidence as she was told a call was out. Not that it mattered a great deal as she won anyway and barely lost a game after this incident after falling behind 4-3 early.
But it also harboured mixed reaction with some wondering how she is using her phone on court and why she has it on her in general. Others thinking it was a bit of a fruitless endeavour. Either way it was absolute cinema as they coin it.
Umpire refused to check a mark so Sabalenka gathered evidence never seen anything like this 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/oNanoXFOrR
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 19, 2025
Starting them young as Monfils teaches daughter Skai while mum Svitolina reaches Rouen final
It was the day of G.E.M.S Life albeit more Svitolina than Monfils. Mum Elina Svitolina reached the final of Rouen defeating Elena-Gabriela Ruse.
She will be the overwhelming favourite albeit facing a superb talent in Olga Danilovic who keeps rising. But she will have Monfils there as she said the motivation was to have him there. Cute scenes.
“A big motivation for me was when Gael told me at the start of the tournament that he would come to the final if I reach the final. So he’ll probably come to support me tomorrow.”
But even moreso perhaps was the fact that a picture was also shared of daughter Skai being started young on playing tennis and returning to Gael who is currently on a week off the tour after not signing up for any tournaments.
Ahead of heading to Madrid though, he will head to support Elina in the final and could we get all three components of G.E.M.S in the stadium to watch her in Rouen. Watch this space.
Elina Svitolina shares an adorable photo of Gael Monfils teaching their daughter Skaï how to hold a tennis racquet.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 19, 2025
This girl has some pretty great teachers.
🥹
(via @ElinaSvitolina) pic.twitter.com/4LIwnflDwQ
New celebration unlocked for Alcaraz on home soil
Carlos Alcaraz will face off against Holger Rune tomorrow and instead of his usual celebrations, he gave a bit more of extra flair after he saw off Arthur Fils.
Alcaraz was at his incredible best today as he saw off the French dynamo who has been in incredible form and was made to look ordinary by Alcaraz.
No doubt with celebrations like he busted out against the Frenchman it shows how good and confident he truly is feeling. After winning the Monte-Carlo Masters last week, it is onto Barcelona where he won two years ago.
He will hope to be jumping in that pool again tomorrow with Juan Carlos Ferrero. While Samuel Lopez his other coach who brought him glory at the Barcelona Open cannot be underestimated in this team.
But also may need to practice his butterfly or breaststroke in case his charge wins tomorrow. No doubt given his form this week he will be favourite.
His home.@carlosalcaraz is now 29-1 in his last 30 matches on Spanish clay courts 🤯#BCNOpenBS pic.twitter.com/XwYsVPYIIJ
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 19, 2025
While another one to drop in your lap is the duo who will face off in the final tomorrow as youngsters pranking each other during a photo at Roland Garros.
Often the narrative but Alcaraz and Rune are childhood friends and they will prepare for their first ever final against each other.
They grew up in juniors facing off against each other and now get the chance to duke it out tomorrow in Barcelona. A friendship and one born in tennis coming full circle. We love to see it.
Did someone mention an Alcaraz-Rune final?! 😍 pic.twitter.com/OvTLPhf3c7
— Olly Tennis 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) April 19, 2025
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