Revealed: Why the Australian Open is live streaming an alternative Wii Tennis-style broadcast during this year’s competition
The Australian Open appear to have found an ingenious way of getting around broadcasting restrictions at this year’s competition.
Four-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz got his campaign underway against Alexander Shevchenko in Melbourne on Monday and fans were treated to an alternative view of proceedings.
The two players took a much larger and rounded shape than normal as they were depicted as cartoons similar to that which is seen on the hit Wii Tennis games.
Better still, their on-court actions were mimicked by the animated figures, providing an extraordinary experience for tennis fans.
According to author and tennis reporter Bastien Fachan, the addition is down to a broadcasting rights issue.
He wrote on X: ‘The Australian Open don’t own all of their broadcasting rights (fairly common), so they’re live-streaming a Wii Tennis-like version of the matches on YouTube – love this.’
The Australian Open are live-streaming matches in this year’s tournament on their YouTube channel
The use of the cartoon-like figures reportedly allows the organisers to get around broadcasting restrictions
Third seed Carlos Alcaraz (pictured) made light work of his first round opponent Alexander Shevchenko
Indeed, several of the matches that took place on the first two days of the competition have been given the same treatment. The technology builds on similar, more crude, animations that were debuted by the Australian Open on their YouTube channel last year.
As well providing a clever solution to their rights issue, the overlay has the effect of attracting a new, younger audience to the sport.
A similar tactic has been used in the NFL in recent years, with a Nickelodeon broadcast fit with slime and the television network’s signature orange blimp drawing in ton of children to the game.
In December, the NBA took the plunge into this brave new world as various iconic Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy appeared as part of a Christmas Day broadcast.
In the live-action world on Monday, Alcaraz made light work of his first round opponent and cruised into the next round with a 6-1, 7-5, 6-1 win.
The 21-year-old is aiming to become the youngest man to capture all four Grand Slam titles at this year’ tournament.
‘I always say that it’s hard work,’ he said post-match. ‘”I try to bring the best of me every day. That’s the secret. Every day I try to be a better person and better player.’
The third seed will play Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka on Wednesday.
