This innovative streaming method allows Tennis Australia to showcase live event representations without infringing on exclusive broadcasting rights.

The organization has developed unique animated 'skins' for players and officials, blending real movements with digital representations to enhance viewer engagement.

Tennis Australia has introduced animated live streams during the Australian Open, aiming to engage younger audiences and gamers.

The AI system, named AO Animated, utilizes court sensors to replicate live action, enhancing the experience with live commentary and crowd sounds.

These animated streams feature digital avatars that mimic real players' movements, reflecting their actions with a slight one-point delay.

The animations aim to accurately represent players' outfits and match events, creating a unique viewing experience reminiscent of video games.

In the first four days of the tournament, the animated streams attracted over 950,000 views, a significant increase from 140,000 views during the same period last year.

Machar Reid, Tennis Australia's director of innovation, noted that while traditional viewing will remain dominant, innovation is key to providing personalized experiences.

This trend of animated broadcasts is not unique to tennis; other sports leagues like the NFL and NBA have also experimented with similar formats.

To ensure accessibility, the tournament has been streaming matches on its official YouTube channel since January 6, 2025, allowing fans without cable to watch for free.

The humorous side of the technology was highlighted during a first-round match when an animated replay of Daniil Medvedev's racket-smashing incident went viral.

Reid emphasized the goal of engaging a tech-savvy community that merges traditional sports with gaming elements, targeting a new demographic of fans.