Remember when life was normal? When we were allowed to hug our best friend. When going to the grocery store didn’t require a head-to-toe bodysuit and lines crowded by anxious faces longing to enter and leave the risk zone with more than just condiments and, of course, Corona-free. Remember that? When normal life was actually normal. When we spent more time at work and school than with our very own families and in our actual houses. And weekends – man I miss those. But for now, we must recreate this ‘normal,’ and it seems as if the sports and entertainment world has found just the way. 

For both the players and fans, the wait is finally over. The tennis world has adapted, and we now find ourselves embedded in video game tennis. 

I have never felt more connected to a Grand Slam than I do now. The US Open has always been my home, I spent more hours at the Flushing Meadows ground than I did in my own house. But now I find myself watching a virtual All-Star Tennis tournament, and in all honesty, I now find myself more connected than ever before.

It is May 3, 2020 and I am watching the #StayatHomeSlam via Facebook Live, a new warmup tournament for the virtual tour. Not only does this tournament illustrate an overlap between the sports and entertainment sectors, but this tournament truly prepares the players for the tour’s latter virtual tournaments. Leading up to the tournament was the first-ever online Mutua Madrid Open, an online event with players competing on the PlayStation 4 game. Yet the platform has now switched. Instead of the usual Australian Open transition to Roland Garros, players are now transitioning between PlayStation and Xbox. Instead of Roland Garros, tennis fans find themselves immersed among an incredible lineup of tennis players and celebs playing in the first ever Mario Tennis Aces Tournament. For once, there were no restrictions. I, like the players, didn’t have to wear a mask or fear the *gasp* Virus. We could all satiate our sports craving in a unique and lighthearted way. A tournament inspired by creativity and unity, I watched as our role models battled in the #StayAtHomeSlam, a tournament raising money for charity and one that connected us even closer with our favorites. 

Five seconds in and I was hooked. Players were laughing during match time. Tennis legends such as Serena Williams and Kei Nishikori were playing doubles with fashion icon Karlie Kloss and model Gigi Hadid. In a virtual bracket powered by IMG, I followed this live stream and watched commercials with questions of “what do you miss most about tennis?” and “what was your favorite video game growing up?” Singing from Seal harmonized with commentary from iJustine and John McEnroe informing the viewers of strategies and skills. Pre-match meals transitioned to in-game-snacking and pre-match interviews constituted at-home discussions about video game skills. Secret weapons were even revealed (for once!) as Seal’s son was his lucky charm… that reminds me, “Rafa, what are your routines for virtual tennis??” 

Whether or not one is a Babolat junkie or Head-only player, no longer mattered. It was all about the Mario player, as the statistics clearly presented Boo as the strongest. As athletes we all crave competition, yet this competition, for once, was filled with laughter, smiles, and communication with the opponent. Instead of ignoring and refusing to interact among competition during the match, these tennis legends not only ‘hung out’ with each other during the match, but they became their own commentators and fans too. They even spoke during points… and without the umpire’s infamous“quiet please”. Supersonic speed matchups of Taylor Fritz, as Boo, and Addison Rae, as Princess Peach, juxtaposed against the slow-mode match of Naomi Osaka as Boo and Hailey Bieber as Princess Peach, due to Hailey’s poor connection. An excuse? We might never know. Maybe a sign of slow footwork or maybe even a strategy, as the speed of the technology seemed akin to the speed of the court. Walkovers now were awarded because of broken WIFI connections and frozen systems. And I mean since Boo is a ghost, what if he could travel through the game and cut a player’s WIFI connection in order to win?? Hey, he wouldn’t even need a mask! 

In a change to the tour schedule that was most definitely unpredictable, this virtual All-Star Tennis tournament encapsulated me. We find ourselves relating to our role models and favorite influencers who we grew up admiring in a new way, as we continue to praise them for more than just their on-court talents. Sure, I find myself admiring players’ gaming skills, but what really captures my attention is the unity and smiles that radiate from within. And never before did I feel more connected to the sports and entertainment world than I do now.