For Artemis Aslanisvili, stepping into the INTENNSE™ Arena wasn’t just about playing tennis. It was about testing herself in a new environment, competing alongside her Clemson teammate, and following in the footsteps of fellow Tiger Annabelle Thomas, who now plays for Team Jacksonville in the INTENNSE League.

“I first heard about INTENNSE through my teammate Annabelle (Thomas), who was posting about it on social media,” Artemis said. “We were interested in the format and the chance to compete outside of the college season, while being here and training during the summer. The fact that it’s fast-paced and offers prize money made it even more exciting, especially as student-athletes looking for more competitive opportunities.”

Aslanisvili arrived at Clemson in August 2024 as the top-ranked junior player in Greece and a key part of Clemson’s No. 9 nationally ranked recruiting class. Known for her poise and sharp tactical awareness on court, she has continued to build that reputation. That maturity was on full display during her debut weekend in the INTENNSE Challenge Series.

“Honestly, walking into the arena felt professional. It had this cool energy, like you were about to be part of something bigger than just a regular match,” she said. “Compared to college tennis, it felt more intense, like every point mattered and the crowd was part of the match with you, which brought a fun side to it.”

Even better, Artemis wasn’t alone. She was joined by fellow Tiger Amelie Smejkalova, with whom she trains daily at Clemson. Together, they made it to the team event after competing against each other in the Challenge Series playoffs.

“It was such a fun experience, and honestly, that was our goal from the start, to both play the final in the [playoffs] and make it to the team event,” Artemis said. “We didn’t have to say much on court, we just knew what the other person was thinking and just enjoyed ourselves while not worrying about the result.”

That ability to blend focus with freedom became even more critical once the action began.

“Yes, for sure, during the first Bolt when the time and the points were flying by. It felt more like a show than just a Match, but in a good way. You had to stay focused but also feed off the energy around you,” she recalled.
Aslanisvili thrived in the moment, adjusting her mindset and strategy to fit the lightning-paced format.

“It definitely forces you to lock in quickly. You can’t afford a slow start or to lose focus for even a second. The Bolts and live scoring made it feel more like a sprint. I think it challenged us mentally as much as physically.”
Her favorite part? No hesitation.

“The energy. 100%. Everyone was into it: the players, fans, and even the staff. You could feel that people cared and wanted to make it a great experience. It wasn’t just another Match, it felt like an event.”

For college players like Artemis, INTENNSE offers more than a cool vibe. It provides a crucial bridge between the college circuit and what lies beyond.

“It’s incredibly valuable. There aren’t many places where you can play this level of tennis, have a crowd, keep improving, and get rewarded for your performance. For international players like me, it also helps get more exposure and experience outside the usual college schedule.”

In her performance, Artemis felt the impact right away.

“My focus and decision-making for sure. You don’t have time to warm up for the Match, you have to be ready from the very first point. Also, being aggressive and smart with shot selection under pressure was something I really worked on during the Matches.”

She plans to bring that momentum back to campus.

“I’ll tell them it was a fun experience and something unique. It’s intense but also rewarding. I think a lot of them would be interested, especially those who want to compete in a different setting and test themselves.”

When asked whether she’d recommend INTENNSE to friends at other schools, the answer was clear.

“Definitely. The format is new, exciting, and perfect for college athletes who want more than just the regular Dual Matches. It gives us a space to compete at a high level, earn something for our effort, and enjoy the atmosphere.”

Her favorite moment of the weekend?

“Probably playing the final in the [playoffs] with my teammate. It was a special moment for both of us as some of our other teammates and our coach were there watching us compete. It felt more like an exhibition Match, and I can say that we all enjoyed it, had fun with it, and tried to bring good energy in those 10 minutes.”

And yes, she plans to come back.

“I’d love to come back with even more of my teammates. Next time, I’d focus on starting faster and not stress about my serve as much. I feel like once you understand the vibe, you can enjoy it even more and perform at a higher level.”