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 week. As Roland Garros (the French Open) ended on Sunday, the tennis world said goodbye to clay and turned toward grass-court tournaments – including the year’s third major, Wimbledon, which begins later in June. Meanwhile, two of Spain’s biggest tennis players celebrated.
Merci, Paris!
Another year, another thrilling Roland Garros tournament. This year’s singles champions, Spain’s 14-time winner Rafael Nadal and Poland’s two-time titlist Iga Swiatek, thanked the the City of Light for hosting on Instagram earlier this week.
Singles and doubles finalist Coco Gauff, the 18-year-old from Atlanta, Georgia, simply said via Instagram that she loved the city. On Twitter, she called it her "happy place." Gauff’s American doubles partner, Jessica Pegula – who fell to Swiatek in the singles quarterfinals – also shared photos from her “amazing” few weeks.
Rafael Nadal congratulates class of 2022
Grab your cap and gown – and maybe bring your tennis racket, too.
The 36-year-old world No. 4 Rafael Nadal spoke at his namesake tennis academy’s graduation ceremony in Manacor, Spain, on Wednesday, which saw 33 students complete their athletic education. Joined by compatriot and NBA star Ricky Rubio, the 22-time Grand Slam winner imparted words of wisdom to the class of 2022.
“I know that the fashion now is immediacy and that patience is not a greatly valued virtue,” Nadal said in his native tongue.
He continued: “Today I would like to remind you that the greatest goals in life are not achieved from one day to the next. They are achieved by fighting, struggling and learning when you fall down … You will have unexpected moments and disappointments that will make you question everything. In those moments, you must rely on your family, your loved ones and the people you trust, who will remind you what your dreams and goals were so that you can dream of them again.”
Carlos Alcaraz receives the Gold Medal of Murcia
Speaking of Spanish celebrations: About 300 miles from the Rafa Nadal Academy by Novistar, rising star Carlos Alcaraz received the prestigious Gold Medal of Murcia for his achievements.
“Today has been a tremendously special day for me!” the world No. 7 wrote on Instagram this Thursday, sharing photographs.
But by Friday, it was back to training. Alcaraz is expected to play Wimbledon later this month.
Alexander Zverev gives medical update
Germany’s world No. 3 Alexander Zverev played great tennis in his French Open semifinal against Spain’s Rafael Nadal, but rolled his ankle toward the end of the second set. The injury resulted in extensive surgery for the 25-year-old, who posted an Instagram update featuring him smiling and sticking up a thumb from his hospital bed.
Stefanos Tsitsipas congratulates Shingo Kunieda
World No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas fell in the French Open’s fourth round, but he still stuck around to congratulate another champion: Japan’s Shingo Kunieda, who just won his 27th wheelchair singles major in Paris.
“I’ve been following every single one of your matches,” Tsitsipas wrote on Instagram. “Meeting you was awesome!”
