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A Christmas message round-up from tennis’ biggest stars

By Veronica Elizabeth Bruno

17th November 2018, O2 Arena, London, England; Nitto ATP Tennis Finals; Novak Djokovic (SRB) celebrates his victory after defeating Kevin Anderson (RSA) in the semi-final match (photo by Hongbo Chens/Action Plus via Getty Images)
17th November 2018, O2 Arena, London, England; Nitto ATP Tennis Finals; Novak Djokovic (SRB) celebrates his victory after defeating Kevin Anderson (RSA) in the semi-final match (photo by Hongbo Chens/Action Plus via Getty Images) /
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Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Maria Sharapova took some time off during their off-season prep time to celebrate with loved ones.

The tennis season officially ends right before Thanksgiving, but while the rest of us are enjoying some time off while celebrating the holidays with our families, the month of December starts the hard-core prep time for next year’s grand slam season. Tennis competitors get busy testing out new racquets, incorporating fitness changes, and building up for the first tennis events of the year. A fitness-heavy December is all preparation for the first grand slam of the year, the Australian Open. The slam Down Under will be here in just a few short weeks.

In the meantime, players still found time to post messages and enjoy just a little of their time off.

Several of the tour players on the tour had a holiday message for fans.

Novak Djokovic is set to compete at Mubadala but wished everyone a Merry Christmas from the practice courts.

Australian Open winner Caroline Wozniacki celebrated with her family, who all coordinated in adorable, Christmas light headbands.

Santa took some time out between delivering presents to hit the practice courts.

Santa was pretty busy on Christmas Eve, but he seemed to make the rounds at several tennis courts, since he was spotted at Rafael Nada’s tennis academy in Majorca as well.

https://twitter.com/rnadalacademy/status/1077189779068993536

Legend Billie Jean King celebrated with her loved one.

U.S. Open finalist Kevin Anderson celebrated with his beautiful wife and a very adorable dog.

Garbine Muguruza shared her gratitude on Christmas Eve from the Hawaiian Open.

Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber was grateful to spend the holidays with her family despite a hectic travel schedule all year.

Australian Open finalist and this year’s Davis Cup victor (for Croatia), Marin Cilic took to Twitter to celebrate Croatian tennis on Christmas Eve, still reveling in the country’s win over France in the last Davis Cup win of the event’s 118-year history. It was a pretty big win since the institution is undergoing a massive overhaul next year that has rubbed much of the tennis community wrong.

Stan Wawrinka, Dominic Thiem, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and Maria Sharapova celebrated in style, but perhaps Thiem wins this one, donning a Santa hat from on a motor boat.

Last year’s U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens wished everyone a Merry Christmas while wearing a cute holiday-themed apron.

Fabio Fognini wished everyone a Merry Christmas in Italian of course, along with his wife, 2015 U.S. Open champion, Flavia Pennetta.

Petra Kvitova, who won the most singles titles on the WTA tour this year, posed in front of a precious tinsel tree that reminded us of Charlie Brown Christmas.

Madison Keys — who had a fantastic year in 2017 but a bit shakier one this year — wished for a “more consistent” 2019 this Christmas according to Tennis Channel.

Borna Coric — fresh off the historic Croatian win at the last Davis Cup — took time to post a collage to celebrate all his best moments from the year.

Rafael Nadal (along with everyone’s favorite uncle, Uncle Toni) also extended his wishes via his academy to fans and supporters.

More from Australian Open

Former No. 1 and two-time Australian Open champ Victoria Azarenka posted a picture of a perfectly lit tree and inviting fireplace.

The tennis season actively starts up again in just a few days in Abu Dhabi, with many of the stars in action at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, including Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, and Kevin Anderson. Roger Federer has landed in Perth, Australia to participate in the Hopman Cup, a title he won with teammate Belinda Bencic last year.  Everyone is gearing up in warm-up events in preparation for the first grand slam of the year, the Australian Open, where Federer won his record 20th grand slam.

The Aussie Open begins Jan. 14, 2019.

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