Tennis match set for space thanks to USTA Net Generation

Tennis is coming to space in one week with a match played on the International Space Station. On Tuesday, NASA astronaut Andrew "Drew" Feustel will attempt the first tennis match in space with fellow crewmates Ricky Arnold, Alexander Gerst and Serena Aunon-Chancellor.

The match will streamed on a 3D projection mapped on the Unisphere, which is at the site of the upcoming US Open in Flushing Meadows.

The giant steel globe was designed as the centerpiece for the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair and has become the symbol of Queens.

The tennis mission started forming in December of 2017 with Feustel as the star player thanks to his passion for the sport. Fuestel, his wife and his two sons all play tennis.

The ISS Commander of Expedition 56 left for space in March and was prepared for the challenge. Players will be equipped with Net Generation racquets and balls.

"For me it's going to seem like the old video game Pong where you hit the ball and it just goes straight and doesn't bounce until it hits a wall," Feustel said. "It's going to be a little challenging. Net Generation provided us with some micro racquets to take to space and some tennis balls. We're going to give it our best shot."

Fans can watch the gravity-defying action unfold live on Tuesday from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. EST on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.