Another day, another reality dating show thrust upon us. On Thursday, the United States Tennis Association and Fresh Tape Media announced they’ll be filming a new series at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center during the US Open. Called Game, Set, Matchmaker, one “tennis-savvy” bachelorette will attempt to find love among a cast of influencers, tennis superfans, and social personalities. Sounds fun, but let’s be real — it’s no villa in Fiji.
The show will star Ilana Sedaka, a 24-year-old former figure skater turned pilates instructor, as she dates seven potential love matches over the course of eight days. Sedaka currently lives in Miami but grew up on Long Island not far from Arthur Ashe Stadium. “I’m coming in open to connection, ready to compete, and excited to be part of something bigger,” she said in a press release. “My hope is to bring a little joy, a little chaos, and a whole lot of realness to the court.” I have some questions about exactly what Sedaka will be doing with all of these eligible bachelors. A game of doubles? A Honey Deuce cocktail-making class? Maybe a photoshoot in front of the Unisphere?
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Tennis fans aren’t exactly happy with the news of the show. “US Open, you still have time to take this down,” one commenter wrote on the Instagram post announcing the series. Others called it “crushingly disappointing” and “disrespectful to the sport of tennis,” while another said it was “so cringe.”
The eight-episode series will debut on YouTube on August 24, the first official day of the tournament. Although I’ve recently been freed from the shackles of Love Island USA, this show feels low-stakes enough for me to tune in. What’ve I got to lose?
