From Challenge Series to Exhibition: London Vasilescu’s INTENNSE Journey
INTENNSE Tennis
| Published on 10/07/25
When London Vasilescu stepped into the INTENNSE arena to begin his journey in the Challenge Series, a weekly event that gives rising players the chance to compete in the league’s dynamic format, earn prize money, and secure a spot in a Saturday exhibition match against INTENNSE professionals, he immediately sensed he was part of something special. What struck him most were the details: the striking art on the walls, the pristine court, and the unmistakable feeling that this was more than just another junior match.
“It was very different. It just felt like an unreal experience,” his mother Elena recalled, describing the mix of excitement and nerves as she watched her son hit his first ball in the Challenge Series.
When describing the Challenge Series experience, Elena added, “You are going to encounter a lot of situations where maybe you’re not playing where you think you should be, but you just have to prove yourself over time, be patient with it, and you’ll get a chance.”
“It’s nice because then you can go all in for every point that you need to,” said London. “You only play like max like 40, 50 points, something like that, so you can just go all in for those ten minutes.”
Making it through the group phase and shootout rounds of the Challenge Series, London advanced to the Challenge Exhibition match on Saturday, where he got to join the players he competed against in the playoff phase and form a team to challenge the pros.
Here he realized the energy felt more like a party. The lights, the colors, and the crowd created an atmosphere unlike anything he had ever experienced in tennis. For London, it was both a challenge and a thrill.
“They turn on all the lights. All the people, you got the cowbells and the music too.”
That fast-paced environment mirrors the INTENNSE format itself, which rewards speed, aggression, and bold play. “It’s almost like tennis on steroids,” Elena said, noting how the style fit her son’s game perfectly. “He likes to play fast and go for winners, so it was very, very appropriate for his play.”
Saturday’s Exhibition play also allowed London to connect with his coach and teammates. “I think it’s a great experience. I think that it’s good that they got a chance to spend hours with their coach and teammates before the match,” Elena said.
Elena also noted that London gained a new perspective, often seeing moments where he could excel on the court when other players were struggling.
In addition to gaining real-world experience and the camaraderie of being part of a team, London also earned prize money, which he happily spent on new rackets—and, as a reminder that he’s still a junior, a LEGO set.
Looking ahead, London already has his sights set on next season. He plans to return to INTENNSE to pursue more unforgettable moments in the INTENNSE Arena, new opponents, new challenges, and electrifying experiences that will prepare him for even bigger stages in the future.
