TopSpin 2K25
The arrival of video games TopSpin 2K25 and Tiebreak is a “sign of how tennis executives are seeking to emulate the success of other sports in reaching a huge global audience” of young people through video games -- and then “converting them into fans of the real-life events,” according to Josh Noble of the FINACIAL TIMES. TopSpin 2K25 allows users to play as several tennis greats, including Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Pete Sampras. World No. 2 Novak Djokovic features as the cover star of Tiebreak, which has “the official backing” of both the ATP and the WTA and is due to make its debut on consoles in August. 2K Senior Dir of Franchise and Partnership Strategy Bryce Yang said, “Our games are often the first touchpoint to a sport for many consumers.” The International Tennis Federation, the ATP, the WTA and the four Grand Slam tournaments have all “previously teamed up with Tennis Clash -- the hugely successful mobile game" that has been downloaded more than 150 million times. Three of the Grand Slams now also have a presence in Roblox. The Australian Open has a collaboration with Minecraft that is “coming soon.” For older children and teenagers, tennis rights holders have “been looking to grow on Fortnite.” The online games are “typically offered for free.” The “loftier goal” is to “help educate young people about tennis, its top stars, and its most prestigious tournaments -- in the hope of creating enthusiastic future fans that will attend, or tune in, when the action starts” (
FINANCIAL TIMES, 6/29).
