INTENNSE Tennis League to Debut in Tampa, Redefining the Sport with Fast-Paced, Fan Friendly Format

Zephyrhills, FL – January 28, 2025 – A groundbreaking new era for professional tennis is set to begin in Tampa as INTENNSE, a modern, high-energy professional tennis league, makes its debut on Sunday, February 2nd at the SVB Tennis Academy & Wellness Center in Zephyrhills. Designed to deliver nonstop action, an immersive fan experience, and a team-based format, INTENNSE is revolutionizing the sport by eliminating downtime, simplifying scoring, and turning matches into fast-paced, electrifying competitions.
Tampa will serve as the launchpad for this dynamic new league, offering an experience unlike any other in professional tennis. Fans will witness INTENNSE’s signature “Bolts” format, which features time-bound, high-intensity matches where every second counts.
Revolutionizing Tennis for Modern Sports Fans

INTENNSE is designed for today’s sports audience, blending the thrill of competition with an engaging atmosphere. Fans can cheer without restrictions, interact with players and coaches, and enjoy an entertainment driven experience that breaks away from traditional tennis norms.
“We’re bringing a fresh, exhilarating take on professional tennis,” said Yannick Yoshizawa, Vice President of Experience at INTENNSE. “INTENNSE introduces a team-based league with an electrifying format, featuring fast-paced scoring, continuous action, and a fan-friendly environment. It’s a game-changer for the sport.”

The league launches with four teams Tampa (TPA), Jacksonville (JAX), Atlanta (ATL), and Knoxville (KNO) each consisting of six players (three men, three women). The inaugural season runs from June to August, with teams competing in home-and-away dual matches, further building local community engagement and team identity.

The INTENNSE Format: Fast, Fierce, and Fan-Focused

INTENNSE redefines traditional tennis with its unique “Bolts” format, delivering matches that are faster, more interactive, and designed for today’s media landscape.

Key Features of INTENNSE:
• Time-Bound Matches: Every match consists of three 10-minute Bolts, keeping the pace exhilarating for both players and fans.
• Simplified Scoring: Each point counts as 1, while a clean winner (opponent doesn’t touch the ball) earns 2 points making every play count.
• No Dead Time: Traditional delays are eliminated with one toss, one serve, and only 20 seconds between points.
• Engaged Spectators: Unlike traditional tennis, fans are encouraged to cheer, enjoy music, and interact throughout the match.
• Live Coaching: Coaches can communicate with players between points, adding a strategic element to the game.
Each INTENNSE dual match consists of:
• Men’s Singles (30 minutes)
• Women’s Singles (30 minutes)
• Mixed Doubles (30 minutes)

The team with the most points at the end of the match wins no walkovers, no drawn-out rallies, just pure, high-energy tennis.

A Gateway for Players to Build Their Careers
Beyond reshaping the fan experience, INTENNSE is also a career-changing opportunity for players. Unlike traditional professional tennis circuits where financial sustainability is a challenge, INTENNSE creates new earning opportunities for athletes.
“Playing professional tennis doesn’t always mean making a living,” Yoshizawa explained. “At INTENNSE, we provide stable training, community involvement, media exposure, and financial opportunities, ensuring players can thrive both on and off the court.”
By incorporating grassroots events, junior clinics, and media platforms, INTENNSE ensures that its players not only compete at a high level but also grow the game both within their communities and on a national stage.

Tampa’s Exclusive Debut Event: What to Expect
The February 2nd event will kick off the INTENNSE era with a full day of action-packed programming:
SVB Tennis Academy & Wellness Center – Zephyrhills, FL
• 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Morning trials (streamed live)
• 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Fan-friendly tennis, pickleball, and padel clinics
• 2:00 PM – Tampa vs. Jacksonville Pro Teams face off in an electrifying dual match

Beyond the matches, INTENNSE is committed to giving back to the community, working with the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Foundation to support local schools through after-school tennis and education programs.

Be Part of Tennis History
With Tampa as the starting point, INTENNSE is set to disrupt the tennis world and create a new era for the sport. Florida sports fans won’t want to miss this historic moment as INTENNSE ignites the courts with its innovative, fast-paced league.

TAMPA BAY, Fla. (FNN) – Brady had never lost to the Atlanta Falcons up to Sunday’s game, and he and the Buccaneers fought hard to keep that record going. Though the Bucs were without wide receivers Breshad Perriman and Julio Jones–who missed the chance to play against his old team–as well as tight end Cameron Brate and backup quarterback Kyle Trask, they made a strong start in the first half.

First Half

Both defenses were stingy all of first quarter, as both teams remained scoreless.

At 9:34 in the second quarter, the Bucs finally got on the board first after Brady’s successful nine-yard pass to Chris Godwin that put them at first and goal followed by Leonard Fournette’s one-yard run into the end zone. The score ticked to 7-0 after the extra point.

By that point in the game, the Buccaneers had clocked a total of 29 plays and 176 yards, averaging 12 minutes of possession time.

Brady and the Bucs piled on more points on the board with two field goals from by Ryan Succop–the first a 21-yard field goal and the closer a 44-yard stunner. The Falcons still remained scoreless at halftime, 13-0.

At halftime, Brady was 25 for 33 on pass completions for 256 yards.

Second Half

Brady stuck with that strategy in the third quarter, passing 40 yards to Mike Evans, who delivered it to the one-yard line. The play originally looked like a touchdown, but after the Bucs challenged the ruling on the field, it stood: Evans ended up out of bounds before making it into the end zone.

Following the ruling, Brady made a one-yard toss to Leonard Fournette, who ran it in for the Bucs’ third score.

Brady did made a successful two-point conversion play to Russell Gage, raising the score to a whopping 21-0 with 6:09 left in the third quarter.

The Falcons finally clapped back near the end of the third quarter with their own touchdown. Quarterback Marcus Mariota handed off to running back Avery Williams, who ran the ball eight yards into the end zone. After the extra point, the score gap closed to 21-7.

In the fourth quarter, the Falcons managed to shrink the Bucs’ lead to a single touchdown (or two field goals) by not only scoring a touchdown, but also nailing a two-point conversion, bringing the score to 21-15.

While the scoring ended there, Marcus Mariota and the Falcons made a noticeable comeback in the second half, netting 15 points after being scoreless in the first half.

Mariota gave this assessment postgame about the Bucs defense:

“You have to give them credit, right? They’ve caused havoc through these first few weeks. You know, they’re a great defense. At times, for us, we were just kind of getting in our own way, really. I think when we were able to come in [at] halftime – make some adjustments – guys kind of flew around and made some plays and, you know, as you get going and you get in a rhythm that’s when this offense plays well. We [have] to be able to start better and get in a rhythm earlier so that we’re not in these deep holes when we get in the fourth quarter.”

-Marcus Mariota, Atlanta falcons QB

Bucs coach Todd Bowles gave a brutally honest assessment of the Bucs’ performance.

“…I don’t think we executed in the third quarter. The first half we kept their defense on the field. Second half, our offense was going three-and-out, which kept our defense on the field. Fatigue set in for both sides, I think. It was a tough ball game, and wins are hard to come by in this league. We were playing for first place, and we were happy we could get it.”

-Tampa Bay Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles

The Buccaneers hit the road for the next two weeks, first facing the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 16, then the Carolina Panthers on October 23, with both games kicking off at 1pm ET.

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Mellissa Thomas is Editor for Florida National News, part of the FNN News Network. | mellissa.thomas@floridanationalnews.com

TAMPA BAY, Fla. (FNN) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles and quarterback Tom Brady acknowledged that the Kansas City Chiefs “were the better team” on the field after a 41-31 loss at Raymond James Stadium Sunday night.