On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, tennis fans erupted in outrage when an American sports website published Ghibli-style images of star players including Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz without permission. The Tennis Channel, a prominent player in sports media, shared the AI-generated animations on Instagram, depicting top players including Gauff, Alcaraz, Jack Draper, Madison Keys, Mirra Andreeva, Jakub Mensik, Aryna Sabalenka and Taylor Fritz in the iconic Studio Ghibli style. What seemed to be intended as a creative homage to Japanese animation quickly turned controversial as fans expressed their disapproval en masse.
The Ghibli style, known for its detailed backgrounds and expressive characters, has become a viral trend on the internet in recent days. However, this popularity has also attracted criticism, not only for the use of AI, but also because the original creators of Studio Ghibli have previously spoken out against such unauthorized uses of their aesthetic. The Tennis Channel post, which has garnered over 16,000 likes, was flooded with comments from fans who called the use of the images without the players’ permission “disrespectful” and “unethical.” “Stop using AI and support real artists,” wrote one angry fan, a sentiment that was widely shared in the comments.
For many fans, it was not just about the artistic choice, but also about the integrity of the athletes. Coco Gauff, the women’s world number three, and Carlos Alcaraz, also the men’s number three, are young tennis icons who recently had disappointing results at the Miami Open. Gauff started strongly with a 6-0, 6-0 victory, but stumbled in the fourth round, while Alcaraz lost in his opening match. The use of their images in this context felt to many like a cheap publicity stunt, without regard for their consent or personal brand.
The backlash grew when it became clear that neither the players nor Studio Ghibli had any involvement in the creation of these images. Some fans also pointed out the environmental impact of AI-generated art, which requires significant amounts of energy and water. “This is not only a violation of rights, but also a slap in the face to the art community,” one commenter noted. Others called on Tennis Channel to hire real artists instead of relying on technology.
As Gauff and Alcaraz prepare for clay court season—Alcaraz at the Monte Carlo Masters and Gauff at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart—the outcry over these images continues to reverberate. The sports world is now watching intently to see how both stars, and their fellow players, will respond to this unauthorized move. Tennis Channel has yet to issue an official statement, but the call from fans is clear: respect the players and the art, and don’t let AI dominate sports media.