ATP and Artchild Launch NFT-Enabled Interactive Tennis Posters at Nitto ATP Finals
A captivating blend of art and tennis awaits fans at the 2023 Nitto ATP Finals as the ATP joins forces with Artchild, enabling fans to personalize digital and physical tennis posters, bridging the gap between sports memorabilia and digital innovation.
In a pioneering initiative, the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the digital art platform Artchild are set to transform sports memorabilia by introducing customizable digital and physical tennis posters. This exciting venture will debut at the highly anticipated 2023 Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, Italy, scheduled for November 12-19.
At the core of this project is renowned Los Angeles-based artist Honor Titus, an avid tennis enthusiast and player. Titus is known internationally for his tennis-themed artwork, which often reflects broader societal themes. “Tennis is so very rich with history and elegant nuance that it makes for an excellent subject for the artist,” Titus expressed, emphasizing the profound inspiration he draws from the sport.
Fans will have the unique opportunity to personalize the official Nitto ATP Finals poster via Artchild’s digital platform, utilizing artist-curated color palettes to create their own versions. These customized creations will be transformed into physical prints and shipped to fans, accompanied by a special NFT collectible minted on Polygon. Select fan-designed posters will be displayed at the Pala Alpitour arena, immersing the tournament in a wave of creativity.
For collectors and tennis enthusiasts, the original poster created by Titus will be available exclusively during the finals, priced at $50 plus shipping. This fee includes both the NFT and the physical print, accessible for purchase both online and at the Nitto ATP Finals fan village.
Singles players at the Nitto ATP Finals will also contribute their artistic touch, creating unique poster versions to be auctioned for charity. The proceeds will bolster an environmental initiative aimed at enhancing green spaces in Turin, intertwining the artistic project with community sustainability.
Mark Epps, ATP’s Director of Communications and Web, shared his excitement about the initiative, stating,
“We were inspired to reimagine one of the most iconic collectibles in tennis culture: the tournament poster.”
This innovative endeavor not only honors the tradition of iconic sporting posters but also propels it forward into the digital era.
Building on its previous engagement with the NFT space, last November, the ATP partnered with Art Blocks and artist Martin Grasser to create the “Love” digital art series, based on match data from the 2022 Finals. Owners of “Love” NFT pieces can claim a customizable poster from this year’s initiative at no extra cost, demonstrating the ATP’s commitment to bridging the gap between physical and digital memorabilia.
In essence, this collaboration between the ATP and Artchild is a celebration of tennis, art, and community, seamlessly integrating traditional memorabilia with blockchain technology to create a unique and interactive fan experience.
