Fans connect with their favorites in Rome, virtually

Published September 17, 2020

No fans are allowed inside Rome's incredible cathedral this week for the Italian Open, so the tournament pulled off the next best thing.

Creative ways to overcome the distance with fans? Chatting with them live, sharing experiences and having so much fun!
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During media day with some of the top players, a few lucky fans got to call in and chat with their favorites. Jannik Sinner, Matteo Berrettini, Victoria Azarenka, Simona Halep, Rafael Nadal and more greeted their fans virtually.

The completely empty stands are still a shock to fans and viewers, but not so much to players.

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Some have experienced the new normal fan connection with the video board on Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: Victoria Azarenka of Belarus walks on court in front of virtual fans before her Women's Singles final match against Naomi Osaka of Japan on Day Thirteen of the 2020 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 12, 2020 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

"I just miss fans because I feel like we are meant to play in front of them," Azarenka said after reaching the round of 16 with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Sofia Kenin. "I feel like we are entertainers as well so that's what I miss."

And pretty much everyone, except the likes of Nadal, has experienced fan-less tennis and spent quality time in a bubble, either in New York or Europe.