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 the 2020 Australian Open nears, the tennis world turns its attention to Melbourne.
Andy Murray will not be playing Down Under this year, with a pelvic injury preventing him from returning to the scene where he tearfully announced his potential retirement one year ago. Instead, Murray's 2020 bow will have to wait until mid-February at the earliest; he confirmed that he would also sit out upcoming events in Montpellier, France, and Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Though the Scot won't be hitting on the Aussie courts this week, he did launch a shot on social media, sending some playful banter towards his mother, Judy.
Tennis' stars came out on Wednesday for the Australian Open Rally for Relief exhibition, which raised nearly 5 million Australian dollars ($3.5 million) to aid bushfire relief efforts around the country.
One of the many great moments from the event, which included some legendary doubles pairings and a singles set between Roger Federer and Nick Kyrgios, came from Naomi Osaka and Stefanos Tsitsipas. Both youngsters will be eager to return to competitive action in Melbourne, with Osaka entering as the defending women's singles champion and Tsitsipas looking to back up his dream semifinal run from one year ago.
Osaka also took to Twitter after the event, posting this candid shot of her and her childhood idol Serena Wiliiams. After the 22-year-old Osaka playfully referred to Serena, 38, as her "mom," American Kristie Ahn couldn't help but chime in with this Will Ferrell gif from "Wedding Crashers."
The nominees for the 20th anniversary Laureus World Sports Awards were announced on Wednesday, with a bevy of tennis stars in the running for prestigious international honors.
Reigning US Open men's singles champion Rafael Nadal is up for Sportsman of the Year, with Osaka nominated for Sportswoman of the Year. Coco Gauff and US Open women's singles champion Bianca Andreescu were both put forward for Breakthrough of the Year, while Murray is a candidate for Comeback of the Year. Diede de Groot, a 2019 US Open title-winner in women's wheelchair singles and doubles, was nominated for Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability.
Nadal also made an appearance on "60 Minutes" on Sunday, speaking with Jon Wertheim on his hometown, his rivalry with Federer and more. While the questions were asked in English, Nadal responded in his native Spanish tongue.
Check back next week for more "US Open Hot Shots."
