With Wimbledon underway for another year, we take a look at the top seeds and rate their performance on social media.
Do their seedings reflect their performance online?
Men's Top Five Seeds
Novak Djokovic (SRB) [1] (@DjokerNole)
Ever since he began impersonating his colleagues, Djokovic has remained one of the more entertaining players to follow on social media. You can’t help but smile at this Facebook video of Novak helping the Wimbledon ground staff get the covers on the practice court:
He posts to Instagram 2-3 times a month and tweets frequently and consistently during tournaments with his personality and his sense of humour shining through:
First day on practice courts of #Wimbledon. The “virgin” grass “touched for the very first time” 😉 pic.twitter.com/mPlS2cmPFA
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) June 19, 2013
Andy Murray (GBR) [2] (@andy_murray)
While he doesn’t have an Instagram account, Murray recently notched up his one millionth Facebook page ‘like.' He'll often tweet most days, giving fans a great insight into the daily schedule of a professional tennis player, as well offering commentary on his favourite TV shows and live tennis matches. He often thanks fans by running competitions (like below) and sending out appreciation tweets/posts:
Post match chores.. Shower..10min bike..sushi..45 min physio..1hr press..10 min ice bath.. 5min warm bath..now mock the week in bed!
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) June 24, 2013
competition question coming soon winner will be getting one of my signed rackets…
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) June 5, 2013
Roger Federer (SUI) [3] (@rogerfederer)
While his Facebook following creeps towards 13 million-strong, it’s only recently that the 17-time grand slam champion joined the Twitterverse. The late start to the platform has hasn’t stopped him from having one of the best tweet-to-follower ratios in the business (32 tweets, 400,000+ followers!) While he doesn’t post to his social platforms as frequently as his counterparts, he instead limits his posting to his most interesting content. He shares a number of sponsor-themed videos via his Facebook page, while his third tweet was used to promote an AMA (AskMeAnything) on Reddit (link). The Fed Express also uses his account to share photos and show his appreciation toward fans:
Warming up for my practice with my fitness coach Pierre…. pic.twitter.com/7VWw8LdgMz
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) June 12, 2013
David Ferrer (ESP) [4] (@DavidFerrer87)
One of the most consistent and durable players on the ATP, there’s no denying Ferrer is as active off court, as he is on it. However, the French Open finalist has a little bit to learn when it comes to engagement on Twitter. Of the 35 times he’s tweeted this month, only nine have been personalised from the man himself. Ferrer risks losing some of his 456,531 followers from overusing the RT function as this can make fans can feel disappointed at not hearing from their idol more often.
Rafael Nadal (ESP) [5] (@RafaelNadal)
Despite having the largest Twitter fanbase in tennis with over 4.5 million followers, Nadal often directs followers to his Facebook page where he is the second most popular player behind Federer with over 11.7 million fans. In a great social marketing move, Nadal is seen as an active presence on both platforms, while being able to promote his various foundation, charity and tennis academy websites.
After winning his eighth French Open title, he tweeted this cryptic picture (if you can’t see the hidden image, try squinting your eyes or tilting your screen):
#UN8ELIEVABLE pic.twitter.com/dHcx8OTEGH
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) June 9, 2013
Women’s Top Five Seeds
Serena Williams (USA) [1] (@serenawilliams)
With over five and a half million followers across her Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts, there’s no denying the world number one’s online popularity. Amazingly, she has two million more followers than the next best on the WTA when it comes to Twitter, which is clearly her preferred platform to connect with fans. It does seem strange that someone so willing to share photos hasn’t uploaded to Instagram in over 12 months, while she was still getting used to Facebook as recently as April this year:
But it’s on Twitter where the younger Williams sister shines. She doesn’t hide behind an online persona, with her bubbly personality shining through via a number of personal photo posts including her frequent trips to the beach, nail salon visits and of her canine companion ‘Chip.’ The 16-time grand slam winner does a good job of engaging followers, using #SerenaFridays to allow fans to tweet in questions via Twitter:
Today is #SerenaFriday !! Ask me a question but add #SerenaFriday to them. I'll try to answer questions all day. #SerenaFriday
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) June 7, 2013
Victoria Azarenka (BLR) [2] (@vika7)
One of my favourite players on the WTA, Azarenka does a great job of keeping fans up to date and engaged across a number of social platforms. While she doesn’t have the massive following of her American counterpart, the two-time Australian Open champion frequently posts on Facebook, Twitter, Vine and Instagram to provide fans with interesting content. She recently used Twitcam to host a live Q&A session with fans who could send in questions to her Twitter account using the #hangwithvika hashtag.
Tonight will do #hangwithvika 7 London time 🙂 #TeamVika get ur Q ready
— victoria azarenka (@vika7) June 19, 2013
Maria Sharapova (RUS) [3] (@MariaSharapova)
Sharapova dominates the battle for WTA supremacy on Facebook, boasting over 10.2 million fans. Her content mainly focuses on practice sessions and fashion shoots, although the world number three also does a great job promoting sponsors Nike, Porsche and Evian with behind-the-scenes photos. Sharapova’s Facebook page also hosts her new Social Channel game where fans get points for watching videos and answering questions that follow, similar to what SportsGeek does with Digital Cheer Squad:
Posing playful questions are also a great way to invite fans to react and take part in her international experiences:
Should I take the London bus or the @Porsche? pic.twitter.com/5wPnECeFIO
— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) June 20, 2013
Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) [4] (@ARadwanska)
The runner up in last year’s Wimbledon singles title, the likeable Radwanska doesn't stray far from Facebook where she has over 185,000 fans. Unfortunately, she hasn’t tweeted since November 2011 and doesn't seem to have an Instagram account. Conveniently though, she is one of the few who post in multiple languages for the benefit of her fans:
Sara Errani (ITA) [5] (@SaraErrani)
The fifth seed at SW19 adopts the conventional mould of a tennis player on social media. While some official photos are used for content, Errani also offers plenty of locker room and training shots to give fans a glimpse into her life as a tennis professional:
Ever since he began impersonating his colleagues, Djokovic has remained one of the more entertaining players to follow on social media. You can’t help but smile at this Facebook video of Novak helping the Wimbledon ground staff get the covers on the practice court:
He posts to Instagram 2-3 times a month and tweets frequently and consistently during tournaments with his personality and his sense of humour shining through:
First day on practice courts of #Wimbledon. The “virgin” grass “touched for the very first time” 😉 pic.twitter.com/mPlS2cmPFA
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) June 19, 2013
Andy Murray (GBR) [2] (@andy_murray)
While he doesn’t have an Instagram account, Murray recently notched up his one millionth Facebook page ‘like.' He'll often tweet most days, giving fans a great insight into the daily schedule of a professional tennis player, as well offering commentary on his favourite TV shows and live tennis matches. He often thanks fans by running competitions (like below) and sending out appreciation tweets/posts:
Post match chores.. Shower..10min bike..sushi..45 min physio..1hr press..10 min ice bath.. 5min warm bath..now mock the week in bed!
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) June 24, 2013
competition question coming soon winner will be getting one of my signed rackets…
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) June 5, 2013
Roger Federer (SUI) [3] (@rogerfederer)
While his Facebook following creeps towards 13 million-strong, it’s only recently that the 17-time grand slam champion joined the Twitterverse. The late start to the platform has hasn’t stopped him from having one of the best tweet-to-follower ratios in the business (32 tweets, 400,000+ followers!) While he doesn’t post to his social platforms as frequently as his counterparts, he instead limits his posting to his most interesting content. He shares a number of sponsor-themed videos via his Facebook page, while his third tweet was used to promote an AMA (AskMeAnything) on Reddit (link). The Fed Express also uses his account to share photos and show his appreciation toward fans:
Warming up for my practice with my fitness coach Pierre…. pic.twitter.com/7VWw8LdgMz
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) June 12, 2013
David Ferrer (ESP) [4] (@DavidFerrer87)
One of the most consistent and durable players on the ATP, there’s no denying Ferrer is as active off court, as he is on it. However, the French Open finalist has a little bit to learn when it comes to engagement on Twitter. Of the 35 times he’s tweeted this month, only nine have been personalised from the man himself. Ferrer risks losing some of his 456,531 followers from overusing the RT function as this can make fans can feel disappointed at not hearing from their idol more often.
Rafael Nadal (ESP) [5] (@RafaelNadal)
Despite having the largest Twitter fanbase in tennis with over 4.5 million followers, Nadal often directs followers to his Facebook page where he is the second most popular player behind Federer with over 11.7 million fans. In a great social marketing move, Nadal is seen as an active presence on both platforms, while being able to promote his various foundation, charity and tennis academy websites.
After winning his eighth French Open title, he tweeted this cryptic picture (if you can’t see the hidden image, try squinting your eyes or tilting your screen):
#UN8ELIEVABLE pic.twitter.com/dHcx8OTEGH
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) June 9, 2013
Women’s Top Five Seeds
Serena Williams (USA) [1] (@serenawilliams)
With over five and a half million followers across her Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts, there’s no denying the world number one’s online popularity. Amazingly, she has two million more followers than the next best on the WTA when it comes to Twitter, which is clearly her preferred platform to connect with fans. It does seem strange that someone so willing to share photos hasn’t uploaded to Instagram in over 12 months, while she was still getting used to Facebook as recently as April this year:
But it’s on Twitter where the younger Williams sister shines. She doesn’t hide behind an online persona, with her bubbly personality shining through via a number of personal photo posts including her frequent trips to the beach, nail salon visits and of her canine companion ‘Chip.’ The 16-time grand slam winner does a good job of engaging followers, using #SerenaFridays to allow fans to tweet in questions via Twitter:
Today is #SerenaFriday !! Ask me a question but add #SerenaFriday to them. I'll try to answer questions all day. #SerenaFriday
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) June 7, 2013
Victoria Azarenka (BLR) [2] (@vika7)
One of my favourite players on the WTA, Azarenka does a great job of keeping fans up to date and engaged across a number of social platforms. While she doesn’t have the massive following of her American counterpart, the two-time Australian Open champion frequently posts on Facebook, Twitter, Vine and Instagram to provide fans with interesting content. She recently used Twitcam to host a live Q&A session with fans who could send in questions to her Twitter account using the #hangwithvika hashtag.
Tonight will do #hangwithvika 7 London time 🙂 #TeamVika get ur Q ready
— victoria azarenka (@vika7) June 19, 2013
Maria Sharapova (RUS) [3] (@MariaSharapova)
Sharapova dominates the battle for WTA supremacy on Facebook, boasting over 10.2 million fans. Her content mainly focuses on practice sessions and fashion shoots, although the world number three also does a great job promoting sponsors Nike, Porsche and Evian with behind-the-scenes photos. Sharapova’s Facebook page also hosts her new Social Channel game where fans get points for watching videos and answering questions that follow, similar to what SportsGeek does with Digital Cheer Squad:
Posing playful questions are also a great way to invite fans to react and take part in her international experiences:
Should I take the London bus or the @Porsche? pic.twitter.com/5wPnECeFIO
— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) June 20, 2013
Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) [4] (@ARadwanska)
The runner up in last year’s Wimbledon singles title, the likeable Radwanska doesn't stray far from Facebook where she has over 185,000 fans. Unfortunately, she hasn’t tweeted since November 2011 and doesn't seem to have an Instagram account. Conveniently though, she is one of the few who post in multiple languages for the benefit of her fans:
Sara Errani (ITA) [5] (@SaraErrani)
The fifth seed at SW19 adopts the conventional mould of a tennis player on social media. While some official photos are used for content, Errani also offers plenty of locker room and training shots to give fans a glimpse into her life as a tennis professional:
