The crowd inside Gas South Arena may have been drawn to the Atlanta Cup to watch some of the sports top players, but fans were also treated to the excitement and non-stop action of INTENNSE.

Under the bright lights and before a near-capacity crowd, fans got a front-row seat to 21 minutes of fast-paced, non-traditional, high-intensity tennis - featuring INTENNSE veterans and players registered for next season.

“The atmosphere tonight was electric,” said INTENNSE Commissioner Barry Fulcher. “The fans didn’t just watch the match - they fueled it. They had a unique opportunity to experience the INTENNSE format up close, and it was clear how quickly they connected with it. This is what INTENNSE is built on: energy, immersion, and a crowd that becomes part of the action.”

The showcase featured modified seven-minute “bolts” consisting of men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. The format did not disappoint, delivering continuous action and keeping the crowd fully engaged.

The Red Team - captained by Aryna Sabalenka and Ben Shelton and coached by 2025 Team Atlanta Champion Head Coach Marcelo Ferreira - defeated the Blue Team, anchored by Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios and coached by 2025 Team Jacksonville Head Coach Claudio Pistolesi,  54–52. 

"The ATL Cup was wild. It was my first time playing the INTENNSE format and my first time playing in an arena, so I was basically learning on the go," said Blu Baker who played for Team Blue. "The crowd definitely got involved once they understood the format, and it seemed like they picked it up fast, got loud, and made it feel like we’d all been doing this forever. If that’s the first time… I can’t wait for the next one."

Blu Baker wasn’t the only one who felt the impact. Seone Mendez echoed that experience: "My experience at the ATL Cup was incredible. The energy in the arena was unreal, and the crowd really embraced the INTENNSE format. You could feel the excitement build with every point, engaged, and fully locked in. It definitely felt like a lot of the crowd was experiencing INTENNSE for the first time, and their reactions said it all. They were curious at first, but quickly became invested, cheering, reacting to big moments, and feeding off the fast pace and intensity of the matches."

INTENNSE CEO Charles Allen expressed his appreciation for the platform the event provided.

“A huge thank you to Atlanta Cup Founder Jason Dolan for inviting INTENNSE to be part of such an incredible night of tennis,” Allen said. “The environment, the turnout, the enthusiasm - it all made for a special night, and we are grateful to have been included.”

INTENNSE Box Score:

INTENNSE is expanding from three teams to 10 in 2026. All teams will be based in the Atlanta area. Applicants interested in joining the league for the 2026 season must register by January 31, 2026. [Register Here]