What is INTENNSE?
INTENNSE is a pro tennis league featuring a fast-paced, co-ed team-based format that elevates player performance and fan engagement. INTENNSE is bringing new energy to tennis with simplified scoring, nonstop action and an immersive arena experience unlike any other in the sport.
What makes INTENNSE different from traditional tennis?
INTENNSE reimagines tennis for a modern audience.
With roll-on substitutions, time-outs, shot clocks, and live coaching, the game becomes faster, more strategic, and more engaging from start to finish.
INTENNSE is a no-shush zone! Our fans are part of the match, bringing energy, noise, and creating a fully immersive, high-energy experience.
How does the format work?
Matches are played in 10-minute "Bolts."
A full team matchup, known as an ARC, consists of 7 Bolts across:
- Men's Singles (2)
- Women's Singles (2)
- Men's Doubles (1)
- Women's Doubles (1)
- Mixed Doubles (1)
Every point contributes to the team's total score, and the team with the most points at the end of the ARC wins.
What are the rules?
The rules are simplified to keep the game fast and high-pressure:
- One toss, one serve
- 14-second serve clock
- No lets
- Every point is a point, a clean winner takes two
- Live coaching, time-outs and unlimited substitutions
The focus is on pace, intensity, and constant action.
How many players are on each team?
INTENNSE teams are co-ed and consist of eight players: four men and four women.
Players were selected through the first-ever open professional tennis draft, reinforcing the league's commitment to accessibility and opportunity.
Gender balance is built into the league, with equal pay for men and women. Each team also has a captain, chosen for leadership, team cohesion, and the ability to elevate performance on and off the court.
How long are the matches?
INTENNSE matches are time-based and built for pace and intensity.
Unlike traditional tennis, where matches can run for several hours, INTENNSE combines singles and doubles into a full team matchup in under 90 minutes.
There are 7 Bolts per match, with each Bolt lasting 10 minutes, 14 seconds between points, and 120 seconds between Bolts.
It's continuous, fast, and designed to keep the action moving from start to finish.
Who are the coaches?
Each INTENNSE team is led by a professional coach responsible for match strategy, player rotations, and in-game decisions.
Coaches for the 2026 season include:
Marcelo Ferreira (Altitude) Jim Harp (Inferno) Claudio Pistolesi (Ridge) Torrey Hawkins (Rips) Tim Siegel (Fortune) Marcos Ondruska (Rise) Natalie Pluskota-Hamberg (Sting) Amy O'Connell (Outriders) Sofia Rachi (Smash) Simon Pritchard (Freeze)
How can I attend an INTENNSE event?
INTENNSE events are hosted at the INTENNSE Arena at Assembly Studios in Atlanta, Georgia.
The arena brings all matches into one centralized, high-energy environment, where fans are close to the action and part of the experience from start to finish.
Event dates and ticket information are released through official INTENNSE channels. Follow @INTENNSE and sign up for updates to stay informed on upcoming matches, access, and in-arena experiences.
What is the INTENNSE Arena?
The INTENNSE Arena is a competition and entertainment space inside Assembly Studios in Atlanta, specifically designed for the INTENNSE format and experience.
Set within a 30,000-square-foot soundstage, the arena combines professional tennis with high-end production, immersive visuals, and live entertainment.
Built for connection, storytelling, and fan engagement, it creates a high-energy environment where sport, content, and experience come together.
Where can I watch INTENNSE?
All matches stream live on YouTube and Swerve TV, bringing the full INTENNSE experience directly to fans, regardless of where they are.
Follow @INTENNSE and sign up to stay up to date on matches, drops, and everything happening across the league.
How do I become an INTENNSE Pro Player?
Players interested in joining the league can register during the open application window and be selected through the INTENNSE Draft.
In 2026, 373 players registered, with 80 selected across 10 teams. The draft followed a snake format, alternating between men's and women's picks, marking the first-ever open professional tennis draft.
What is the Challenge Series?
The Challenge Series is INTENNSE's competitive entry point.
It gives players a direct opportunity to prove themselves within the format and earn visibility in front of coaches and the league.
Top performers earn prize money, and the Challenge Team steps onto the INTENNSE Arena court to compete against pro teams, creating a real connection between emerging players and the league.
What are the earning opportunities for tennis players with INTENNSE?
Pro Player contracts are determined by draft position, with additional earnings available through performance-based prize money at each ARC.
INTENNSE is built on gender balance, with men and women paid equally across the league. This is embedded in how teams are structured, how players compete, and how they earn.
Outside of the pro teams, INTENNSE offers additional earning opportunities to aspiring players through the Challenge Series, giving them another chance to compete in the format and earn.
Who are the Pulse Partners?
Pulse Partners are advisors, ambassadors, and stakeholders helping shape the league.
They contribute to team identity, player development, and fan engagement while bringing experience and credibility to INTENNSE. INTENNSE Pulse Partners include Martin Brodeur, Tre Boston, Sloane Stephens, The Bryan Brothers, Shep Rose, Diego Schwartzman and Toya Bush-Harris, each bringing a distinct voice and perspective to the league.