3D broadcasts of Australian Open matches gain in popularity

Although they don't own the rights to broadcast the matches live, the organizers of the Australian Open have come up with an original idea to enable tennis fans to watch the matches for free.

On the tournament's YouTube channel, you can watch the matches at Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena in 3D animation.

The players, the ball, the court, the chair umpire, the ball boys and the audience are modeled as if they were in a video game.

The match sound and commentary are taken from the broadcasts of the rights-holding channels.

Although there are a few bugs in the player models and movements (racket and ball disappearing from time to time), the fidelity of the shots and gestures makes the experience a pleasure to watch.

The tournament had already introduced this broadcasting system last year, but it was at this 2025 edition that fans began to take notice.

You may have seen some of the footage circulating on social networks, such as Daniil Medvedev's outburst in the 1st round against Thailand's Kasidit Samrej, or this video comparing Iga Swiatek's gestures between the 3D version and the real match (see publications below).