Netflix landed two generations of Spanish tennis stars to compete in the streamer’s next live sports event.
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz will face off in the Netflix Slam on March 3, the company announced Monday.
Netflix turned to tennis for its follow-up to the Netflix Cup, a live golf exhibition last month that featured both PGA Tour stars and Formula 1 drivers.
Netflix has produced documentary series in all three sports — “Drive to Survive” in Formula 1, “Full Swing” in golf and “Break Point” in tennis.
Like the Netflix Cup, the Netflix Slam will be played in Las Vegas, inside Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. The company said additional players and matchups will be announced at a later date.
In a statement, Nadal said it will be his first time visiting Las Vegas.
“I’m also very excited to be playing with my fellow countryman Carlos Alcaraz. I am sure it will be a fantastic night of tennis.”
Nadal recently announced his return to competitive tennis after missing most of 2023 with a hip flexor injury that required surgery. He will return at the Australian Open warmup in Brisbane that begins Dec. 31.
“I’m honored and so happy to be sharing the court with Rafa in Las Vegas,” Alcaraz said in a statement. “He’s an all-time great, of course, and his records and achievements speak for themselves.”
The Wall Street Journal reported last month that Netflix is “in an early stage” of negotiating the rights to air a live boxing match, likely featuring Jake Paul.
–Field Level Media