INTENNSE Tennis: Could it inspire Aussie tennis?

INTENNSE Tennis arena in Georgia.

INTENNSE Tennis is a US professional tennis league that transforms the traditional tennis playing and viewing experience into a fast-paced, excitement-packed co-ed team adventure during the American summer months. 

Played in a custom-built arena at Assembly Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, INTENNSE lives up to its name by creating a new tennis culture that provides extended opportunities for players to compete and earn prize money outside of the traditional professional tours. 

The high-energy arena, live entertainment, and exciting visuals also encourage fans to actively participate, cheer, and be a part of the action. 

What is INTENNSE and could Australia and Australian tennis benefit from such a league?

First, let's dive into the rules, format, and the finer details of what INTENNSE brings. 

RULES: 

• The very first BOLT is decided by a coin toss; then, after each point, the winner serves for the next point

• Server is only allowed one toss and one serve

• 14-second serve clock, played at the server's pace regardless of the returner being ready or not

• No lets (play on lets)

• Every point won is calculated as a point; a clean (untouched) winner = two points

• Every point earned is accumulated in continuation

• Live coaching, time-outs (five per ARC per team, max of two per BOLT), and unlimited substitutions allowed

• High energy and spirit are encouraged, but any disrespectful or discriminatory language or behaviour results in teams being penalised points and placed in the penalty box

FORMAT:

• 10 co-ed teams, four women and four men each, chosen through an open registration process where players are then selected through the INTENNSE Draft

• Each team is guided by a professional coach who steers decision-making, strategy, player rotations, and overall mentorship

• Two conferences (east and west) comprised of five teams each

• Top two teams in each conference after the regular season (20 matches) advance to the playoff semi-finals to determine the finalists, to then ascertain the INTENNSE Pro League Champion

• BOLT = 10 minutes of completely continuous play from the first point, ended by a buzzer once time is up (if sounded in the middle of a point, said point is played out until competition)

• ARC = Complete team matchup of seven BOLTs entailing two men's and women's singles, one men's and women's doubles, and one final mixed doubles BOLT  

• Team with the highest accumulated score over all of the seven BOLTs wins the ARC (it comes down to a deciding point in case team scores are tied to determine the overall winner)

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University of North Georgia alum Joaquin Benoit hails from Argentina and spoke directly to The First Serve about his experience as an INTENNSE player this season. Benoit competes for the OUTRIDERS and has helped his squad clinch a spot in the upcoming championship semi-finals. 

"On match days, we meet with the team at our club (James Creek) for a light hit in the morning around 10am," said Benoit. 

"INTENNSE matches are either at 5 or 7pm, so we meet at the arena two hours before the match. I usually go see the physio to get some treatment and then start with our warm-up routine.

"INTENNSE has helped in several ways. It has given me a financial boost to be able to afford competing on the tour. Talking about the tennis part, in the format we play with only one serve, [so] it has helped me develop a better second serve."

Among the many benefits of INTENNSE, the lucrative financial incentives are bringing top playing and coaching talent into the league. 

Players have the opportunity to earn up to $70,000 during a two-month season (June 5, 2026 to August 1, 2026) with a $14,000-$40,000 base salary and up to $30,000 in prize money.

"The financial incentives are very meaningful for everyone playing in the league," further stated Benoit.  

"Being a tennis player means struggling financially, and it is never easy finding a way to afford it (coaching, prize money, tournaments, etc.), so INTENNSE gave me the opportunity to earn a salary while playing high-level tennis."

Coaches also have the chance to earn up to $50,000 during the two-month season with a $30,000 base salary and up to $20,000 in prize money.

Prize money is determined through a few different areas. The draft position of a player determines their Pro Player contract. Furthermore, performance-based prize money at each ARC is available. 

Gender balance is integral to the INTENNSE league structure, where both men and women receive equal pay. 

The Challenge Series offers exhibition matches and an entry point into the league for undrafted players to prove themselves on the INTENNSE stage against drafted players, with a further chance to compete and earn prize money for all. 

Further fuelling the league's popularity is the active social media content creation and engagement across @INTENNSE channels, as well as all matches being live-streamed on the official INTENNSE YouTube channel. 

Last year was INTENNSE's inaugural season, and this season (June-August) is gearing up for the semi-finals, which will be played on July 31, followed by the finals on August 1. 

How could this then help Aussie tennis? 

Australian tennis could benefit from a league that provides extra competition, development and earning opportunities for collegiate, post-collegiate and even professional players. This can lead to stronger opportunities and support for Aussie players looking to play on the professional tours. 

"Yes, I'm aspiring to play on the tour," continued Benoit.

"I will be happily signing up for future INTENNSE seasons. I am having two incredible months competing at a high level, meeting amazing people, playing in fun environments and also earning a salary."

The coaching opportunities could further extend chances for local Aussie coaches to earn and grow, as well as establish themselves further in the high-performance tennis community. 

Also, the tennis community could be given a platform to actively participate, cheer, and enjoy high-quality tennis and entertainment in a unique and intriguing team format. This would actively develop tennis in Australia and allow for tennis to see the fan and sponsor development that other more popular team sports such as rugby, football, and cricket exhibit. 

The First Serve will be closely following the INTENNSE league as it concludes the 2026 season and prepares for next year. 

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