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The United States Tennis Association (USTA) and Netflix have announced a new partnership to produce and stream a docuseries titled ‘Game, Set, Matchmaker.’ Scheduled for release in early 2026, the series will offer viewers an inside look at the tennis community in Queens, New York, highlighting both the local matchmaking scene and the broader tennis culture.
The Announcement
On July 15, 2025, the USTA revealed its collaboration with Netflix to develop this unique docuseries. The project involves USTA leadership, Netflix executives, and well-known tennis personalities serving as consultants, aiming to bring authentic stories from the Queens tennis community to a global audience.
How We Got Here
USTA has actively sought to broaden tennis’s appeal beyond its traditional fan base, focusing on increasing diversity and urban engagement. This strategy led to the collaboration with Netflix, which is expanding its sports-related content amid growing competition in the streaming industry.
Previous sports documentaries like ‘Drive to Survive’ for Formula 1 and ‘The Last Dance’ for basketball have demonstrated strong viewer interest in narratives that blend human stories with athletic competition. ‘Game, Set, Matchmaker’ continues this trend by focusing on community and personal connections within the sport.
Why It Matters to Hollywood
This partnership represents a significant blend of traditional sports institutions with entertainment streaming platforms. For Netflix, it marks a strategic move to diversify content and target niche markets, particularly those underserved by mainstream sports media.
Key implications include:
- Offering fresh content that combines reality, sports, and lifestyle elements
- Attracting advertisers and sponsors invested in sports and community initiatives
- Highlighting the evolving roles of organizations like the USTA in using entertainment media to expand their sport’s profile
- Potentially influencing the awards season landscape if the series garners critical acclaim
Response from Stakeholders
A USTA spokesperson expressed enthusiasm about showcasing Queens’ tennis stories globally and underscored the series’ alignment with their mission to grow tennis in diverse communities.
A Netflix representative described the series as a compelling mix of sport, culture, and personal stories designed to resonate with subscribers seeking authentic content.
Industry analysts view the timing as strategic, with streaming platforms expanding sports content and potentially setting a precedent for community-driven sports programming.
Fans and residents of Queens have particularly expressed excitement on social media, seeing the docuseries as a meaningful portrayal of their local stories on a global stage.
Looking Ahead
‘Game, Set, Matchmaker’ will premiere ahead of the annual U.S. Open, capitalizing on peak tennis interest. Further details about the cast, episode count, and production will be announced soon, alongside plans for promotional events and community outreach.
If successful, the partnership might expand with spin-offs or companion shows exploring other aspects of tennis culture across the United States.
In summary, this USTA and Netflix collaboration represents an innovative effort to blend sports, entertainment, and community storytelling, promising a fresh perspective on tennis within the competitive streaming environment.
