10 Ways AI is Being Used in Tennis 2024

AI has recently swept into the sports world in a similar way that it has made other areas of society convenient. Tennis is a game of techniques and the intervention of AI in the game has led it to a better place now. Now after what the experts have learned about AI features in the game, these features seem quite necessary to use in the modern tennis championships.

The use of AI has brought innovative transformation in the way the players get training, how they play, and how the audience experiences the matches. While the earlier monitors were used to display real-time scores, the use of AI has elevated this experience by displaying real-time performance analytics of the players. New techniques such as the Hawk-Eye umpiring system and Interactive SmartCourt make the gaming experience even better.

Let us now dive into the 10 ways how AI is being used in Tennis in 2024.

Real-Time Analytics

AI-powered computer vision systems in modern tennis courts help in analyzing different aspects of the game such as the ball’s spin, player’s position, and others. The use of such data and its analysis allows the coach to make changes in the strategies accordingly in real-time. The players get instant feedback from the coaches during match breaks and can act accordingly to integrate the required techniques and strategies in their shots. We have already noticed Angelique Kerber making a shift in her playing strategies during her recent matches as a result of the AI-based real-time data.

Prevention of Injuries

The use of AI-based wearables collects data through biometrics based on the physical activity of the players and provides output through sensors. These wearable accessories can sense signs of stress and fatigue to help the players understand how critical is their health condition. Also, these wearables can indicate when you are making a move that can cause a potential injury such as a sprain. The players can discuss with the coaches regarding these insights and adjust their training regimen to stay safe from such injuries and accidents.

Often players may not know their existing health condition and the rigorous practice or match may cause fatal conditions in the end. These AI-based wearables will give real-time insights into the health condition of the players to help them take precautionary measures to stay healthy during the match.

Prediction of the Match Result

AI-based systems are now offering even real-time insights. AI can predict the results of a match much before it has even started. No, we are not just talking about a simple Win or No Win result. In fact, the AI system can offer a detailed prediction of the match based on various insights such as the court surface, the weather conditions, the performance history of the players, and many more. The system will analyze the players' recent performances and come up with a calculative result to mention a predictive result. Of course, these are just predictions and there can be always an unexpected moment when these predictions may go wrong. For example, a player who was not in form for the last new matches may show great performance in the current match.

A Great Experience for the Spectators

You and us, as spectators, also have a unique experience watching the match through an AI-based system. The broadcasts have engaging visuals to make the experience even more interesting. You can now check out crucial points such as tie-breakers more closely. Also, the use of statistics and predictions on the screen offers a visual feel to the narrations happening on the screen.

Today, we have systems that make sure that the audience does not miss out on any moment of the match. As a result, most broadcast systems experience retention in their viewers because of the amazing viewing experience that the audience has received. It feels as if you are watching the match live, sitting on your couch.

AI Umpiring

One of the AI systems that most matches use today is the Hawk-Eye system. You must have noticed how there are so many cameras at different angles of the court. These cameras catch every shot and moment from all angles to show the correct display and offer accurate decisions about a shot. Often line umpires may make errors due to human eyesight. The AI eye reduces such errors and improves the authenticity of the match.

While many tournaments such as the French Open have been already using this system, it is speculated that the system will be noticed also in Wimbledon 2025.

AI-Based Training

AI offers a unique experience to the players for training. The use of virtual replica competitors on the practice court offers the players a realistic platform to practice. These replicas are featured with detailed feedback, strengths, decision times, and other facets. Such detailing will help the training players in their tactical understanding and skill development.

Also, there are systems through which the players can get instant feedback on the shots that they are making in their practice sessions. This helps the players to improve their shots and come up with a better approach.

Recruitment System

Scouting always have been a tough task in the world of tennis. Choosing the best players from so many applications can be a really tough task, especially when the agencies are not 100% sure of the outcomes. The AI-based systems go through all the details of all the candidates to offer accurate results and help the agencies and scouts pick up the most appropriate players for recruitment.

These AI-based tools pick up data from the player’s junior-level matches to understand their basic skills and the improvement rate. Also, the tool may follow a few consistent matches to understand the pattern that the players use for their shots. When the tool offers a complete detail of the players in terms of gameplay, skills, strengths, weaknesses, and others, it becomes easier for the agencies to pick up the players who can surely shine as stars in the future.

Social Media Engagement

Social media today plays a major role in terms of fan building, user engagement, and others. The recent use of AI in social media has enhanced the user engagement experience too. Experts use strategic content management to increase fan engagement and create a stronger online community for the sport.

The new AI systems in social media platforms predict the correct time to post a particular content to get maximum results in terms of visibility. This helps in creating a vibrant community when a match is about to take place.

Customization of Equipment

Earlier also customization of equipment used to take place but the players used to choose customizations that they required. Not all the customizations need to be accurate in such a case. However, the current AI system collects data on different areas like impact points, swing mechanisms, risk of injury, and others. The players can customize their equipment now according to the features suggested by the AI system to match their unique physician needs and playing style.

Wilson is one of the biggest sports brands that uses AI in the customization of rackets according to different handling dynamics. The right customization helps offer higher comfort and accuracy to the players for every shot that they play.

Mental Game Coaching

Any sport requires their players to be mentally fit also along with maintaining their physical fitness. So, the coaches need to offer special attention to the mental health of the players also along with their physical health. Current AI-based tools analyze the player’s stress and adversity based on past performances, responses, and other details. This will help the coaches focus on the mental health of the players so that the players can focus on the mental strategies to take advantage of the competition better.

Today, there are many options available that offer AI-based mental coaching that helps players understand and make strategies for handling stressful situations on the court and playing with their cool. Sometimes, the ultimate trick to win a match is to stay calm on the court. The AI-based tools help perfectly in this area for the players to maintain calm mental health and play winning shots on the court even in an intense match.

AI has been the talk of the town in different sectors of the society. So, how come sports will remain behind? The use of AI in sports has brought tremendous transformation in different ways. Initially, we could only estimate AI to offer a great visual experience to the audience. However, the advanced tools have shown their grace in different parts of the game. Tools like Hawk-Eye ensure that they capture the activities on the court from different angles so that none of the shots are missed. Also, it offers accurate results that were not always possible due to the human umpire system. AI has also helped coaches offer potential physical training and mental stability to the players who show off really well on the court. The recruitment of the right candidates for the tournaments is another area where AI has shown its capabilities due to which the future will come across many tennis stars similar to those we admire like Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.