Tennis is a simple sport at heart, but it has changed a lot over the years. From its starting point in the 12th century when players hit the ball with their hands through to modern times, this sport has started taking advantage of the latest technology.
So, what are some of the latest pieces of technology that are changing the game of tennis?
Artificial Intelligence
As we look through this list of tennis technology, it’s worth bearing in mind that artificial intelligence (AI) could be the key that ties it all together. It’s been suggested that AI will soon change the world and we can already see that in aspects such as healthcare, banking, and education.
The most important AI purpose in sports is yet to become clear, as it’s now entered into so many areas such as analytics and coaching, injury prevention, and automated cameras. It’s easy to imagine all of these areas growing in importance but given that AI is particularly effective at handling large amounts of data, this could be the key area in tennis.
It’s also worth remembering that AI can make the viewing experience a lot more complete for fans, as it can track the ball, automate the cameras, and personalize the experience for all of us. Without AI, the following advances on our list wouldn’t be as useful or interesting.
Wearable devices
The arrival of smart wearables has been a huge boost for athletes in every sport, as it allows them to track their movements and monitor their performances. This tech has taken longer to make an impact in tennis than in some other sports, partly because of the restriction on using communication devices while playing.
Among the leading wearables, we’ve seen players using bracelets and vests to collect huge amounts of data. These items are more typically worn during practice sessions than in competitive matches, but we may see them appear more frequently in tournaments as new models that meet the professional requirements for these events are made.
They can allow players to track areas such as heart rate and movements, which brings an extra level of insight into their playing style and physical performance. It could be crucial for players such as Rafael Nadal, who has struggled with injuries. However, we can also expect people who only play the sport for fun to start trying this sort of tech as it becomes more accessible.
New ways of watching
Watching tennis on TV is becoming easier and more immersive. Live streaming channels, such as TennisTV and Sportshub, provide reliable ways to watch the latest games conveniently. With many streams available on mobile apps, it’s now possible to make this part of your lifestyle no matter how active you are.
The advances aren’t likely to end there, with the metaverse potentially blurring the line between physical tennis games and the online world. This year’s Australian Open brought one of the first major attempts to take the sport into the metaverse, with the Decentraland site playing a key part in the effort.
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and the blockchain are likely to play a huge part in how this works, as this provides a way of monetizing the industry through the likes of competitions, games, and memorabilia. It’s still at an early stage, but it could make it far easier for everyone to enjoy tennis in the way that suits them.
Major tournament changes
Perhaps the best way to understand the power of technology in tennis is to look at one of the biggest tournaments in the world. Wimbledon in London has been the home to the major tennis event of the year since 1877, so it’s witnessed all of the technological changes that have brought us to this point.
The 2023 event should introduce fans to elements such as smart rackets that include electronics, AI-generated highlights, and the power of social media. It’s also going to show us again the importance of the Hawkeye sensors, which are used to make the right call on extremely tight decisions. This network of cameras instantly analyzes and maps each play and can accurately make a call on whether the ball is in or out.
A look ahead
We can expect to see technology continue to change our lives, and it’s clear that tennis will change as much as other aspects. The areas we’ve looked at are all crucial to the development of the sport and will continue to make it easier to enjoy watching and playing tennis.
While many of the most interesting changes are at an early stage or only used by the top players, look for the tech we’ve looked at here to filter down through the sport over the next few years.
The secret to success will come from finding a way to incorporate all this cutting-edge technology without losing the basic appeal of tennis. It’s been one of the world’s most popular sports for centuries because of this simplicity and we hope that this will continue to be the case.
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