Fans connect with their favorites in Rome, virtually

Creative ways to overcome the distance with fans? Chatting with them live, sharing experiences and having so much fun!
(Watch till the end and try not to smile. 🙈)#IBI20 #tennis pic.twitter.com/WwVFByw5vY
— Internazionali Bnl (@InteBNLdItalia) September 17, 2020

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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.

📲 Did you miss any update of #IBI20? Maybe you still haven't downloaded the official app!

All the live blog of the Internazionali at your fingertips:
Android👉https://t.co/gbsvHhIOET
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— Internazionali Bnl (@InteBNLdItalia) September 17, 2020

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

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Fans connect with their favorites in Rome, virtually

"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.

Fans connect with their favorites in Rome, virtually