Welcome to this week's edition of "Hot Shots," a USOpen.org-curated look at what you may have missed on social media over the past seven days. As Wimbledon enters its championship weekend, there were plenty of meme-worthy moments from the London lawns.
Ashleigh Barty is enjoying her time as world No. 1—a distinction she earned after following up her French Open title with another trophy at the grass-court Birmingham Classic. Already known as one of the more media-friendly stars on tour, the Australian spiced up her Wimbledon press conferences by subtly peppering Disney quotes into her responses.
After Barty dropped lines from "The Lion King," "Toy Story" and "The Little Mermaid" throughout the fortnight, a few journalists caught on to the theme.
"Look, it was a way for us to enjoy it and try to bring a little bit more energy, I suppose, in the press. I love Disney. I watch it all the time," she said after falling to American Alison Riske in the Round of 16. "It's been a bit of fun for all of us. You guys caught on I think the third time around. It's been a bit of fun."
From the press room, we head onto Centre Court, where finalist Novak Djokovic was locked in a quarterfinal matchup against David Goffin, the No. 21-seeded Belgian, on Wednesday. In one of the points of the tournament, both men produced tweeners before a Goffin volley sealed the point. Despite losing the highlight-reel exchange, the Serb took the match, 6-4, 6-0, 6-2.
Any talk of Djokovic and tweeners brings back memories of the 2009 US Open, when he fell victim to an all-time tweener by Roger Federer in a semifinal defeat.
Andy Murray returned to Wimbledon last week, alongside Serena Williams. Nine Wimbledon singles titles between them, the legends fell short of the mixed doubles crown, falling in the Round of 16 to the top-seeded duo of Nicole Melichar and Bruno Soares. Despite the loss, the partnership was a win-win scenario for all involved. Murray continued his comeback from hip surgery, Williams sharpened her game with extra match play after her knee injury (she credited her doubles run for her improved net play in singles), and tennis fans got to see two legends share the court.
There was one problem, though, when it came to the new team's nickname.
So much has been said about Cori "Coco" Gauff, who became an international sensation with her fourth-round run. But the 15-year-old's mother, Candi, also made a splash with her joyous celebrations in the player's box. The younger Gauff was happy to poke some fun at her mom in the press.
And finally, on another field of grass, the United States women's soccer team won its fourth World Cup, and second in a row, on Sunday. Billie Jean King, who was instrumental in securing equal prize money for men and women at the US Open (beginning in 1973), voiced her support for America's female soccer stars.
Check back next Friday for more US Open Hot Shots, as we get set to welcome the 2019 US Open Series.
