Next week, the Australian Open brings the first tennis slam to our screens with the first major sporting event of the year.

The qualified players will learn their fate in Thursday’s draw, ahead of next Monday’s first proper day of proceedings, but when as the tournament gets nearer its final – which will take place on 27th January – we’ll also be getting closer to an interesting first taking place at the slam this year.

On the final weekend, the Australian Open will host a Fortnite tournament, where the first 500 players who have registered to take part will face off in a qualifying tournament on the Saturday evening before a six-match final on the Sunday, featuring the top 20 players from each of the five heats.
https://ausopen.com/visit/whats-on/fortnite-summer-smash-australian-open

There is a $100,000 AUD prize for the winner, but those qualifying for the final are already guaranteed $1000 AUD – so it’s bound to garner a lot of interest. Entrants, however, must be resident of Australia or New Zealand and will have to be present at the tournament grounds on the night to take part.

Fortnite has taken the sporting world by storm, with athletes live-streaming their exploits and even incorporating the game into celebrations.

It’s an interesting step to see the game now brought into a wider tournament and especially one as prestigious as the Australian Open. Will we see it added to more major sporting events in 2019?