Diego Schwartzman Bets on the Future of Tennis with INTENNSE

Most players take time away from tennis after retirement. Diego Schwartzman is stepping deeper into it.

The former world No. 8 has joined INTENNSE, a team-based tennis league, as part of its ownership group ahead of the 2026 season. His newest endeavor signals a growing belief within the industry that the future of tennis will include new and entertaining formats.

We sat down with Schwartzman to talk about why he believes in INTENNSE and where the sport is headed (podcast interview here).

Tennis is Changing Fast

Schwartzman knows the shift in sports viewing and playing isn’t just coming soon, but it’s already here.

With shorter attention spans, more digital-first viewing habits, and a growing appetite for faster action, fans are gravitating toward more engaging formats.

“I think tennis is changing and the key of many different sports around the world is to focus on the new generation. They like to watch different formats and different things like short videos, reels, and different formats,” said Schwartzman.

This new sports ecosystem is exactly where INTENNSE is positioning itself. With a team-based structure and faster-paced matches, the league is designed to give fans what they want rather than asking them to embrace traditional formats.

“I think tennis is one of the sports that has to change something in the future,” said Schartzman. “So I think it's a good opportunity [to join INTENNSE] to see how different formats can be around the world of tennis.”

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A New Opportunity for Players

Beyond fan engagement, Schwartzman feels strongly about the economic challenges of professional tennis.

For years, players outside the top 200 have struggled to make a sustainable living with unsuccessful attempts to fix this.

“Tennis is failing in trying to help players outside the top 200. So INTENNSE is a good opportunity for everyone, not just because of the money, but also it's a good opportunity to have a different competition and access to experienced coaches,” said Schwartzman.

INTENNSE isn’t just creating a new format. It’s introducing a new system to bring an alternative opportunity for players. They not only make a solid living, but have the opportunity to compete and improve with a support system. This is a meaningful shift in an individual sport that typically leaves players to fend for themselves on the tour.

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The Draft: A New Layer to Tennis Strategy

On March 13, INTENNSE will host the first-ever tennis draft and will select 80 players as the league expands from three to ten teams.

For Schwartzman, his draft approach is about finding players with the right skills to compliment his team, rather than focusing purely on star power alone.

“The main goal for me is to know the players and know how they play. I will try to split the skills to make sure we have all the different types of games on the court,” said Schwartzman. “I have to speak with the organization with different people in the U.S. who know the players and the skills.”

The draft introduces something tennis has rarely seen with a team-building approach. Different playing styles, matchups, and roles will bring a layer of roster construction more commonly seen in traditional team sports.

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From Top Player to Business Leader

Schwartzman’s move into INTENNSE points to a bigger trend in the industry. Players going from the court to the boardroom as leaders from the business side.

“I like the behind-the-scenes and the business around tennis,” he said. “There are a lot of opportunities coming to the sport.”

He’s interested in learning about the industry from a different perspective to help change it for the future.

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Industry Impact

INTENNSE is still in its early stages as it builds a strong product for fans, players, sponsors, and media companies.

With retired players like Schwartzman and the Bryan Brothers joining INTENNSE, it points to a growing interest in new tennis formats and a new chapter within racket sports. It’s expanding what the sport can be for a wider audience around the world.

If leagues like INTENNSE can find success with fan engagement and player economics, it will inevitably become the next phase of sports entertainment for a new generation.