Viewers of tennis’ first Grand Slam event of the season now have an interesting alternative to watch their favorite players. The Australian Open is broadcasting near-live streams of notable matches on its YouTube channel,

The Australian Open's official YouTube channel will feature select matches in animated form for free throughout the tournament. Played on virtual courts, the animation will mimic what is happening in real-time with human commentary describing the action.

If you’re tuning into the 2025 Australian Open, you may notice something very, very weird about the players on the court if you’re watching matches on YouTube. They look like they’re straight out of a video game, like Wii Tennis. The players’ bodies and faces have been replaced with Miis, basically. What gives?

Learn moreThe Australian Open is back for the 113th time to help kick off the 2025 ATP and WTA seasons. We've compiled everything you need to know about where to watch the Australian Open, including free live streaming options.

For U.S. fans, the Australian Open will once again be complicated by the time difference between the continents, with day sessions starting at 7 p.m. ET the evening prior for American viewers. Are you ready to watch the 2025 Australian Open?

Other notable names to keep an eye out for on Tuesday include Alexander Zverev and Elena Ryabkina, two players who are constant figures in the second week of Grand Slams. Sinner is another male figure that is expected to do well in.