When one thinks of tennis, they often think of a game primarily enjoyed by spectators at pristine courts. I am not a diehard tennis fan (though another member of our editorial team certainly is), but I do remember anticipating the matchups between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon back in the day.
While the core gameplay and elegant traditions remain, a digital revolution is reshaping the experience for virtually everyone involved.
For fans, the transformation is evident in the way they consume the sport. Gone are the days of relying solely on on-court visuals. Live broadcasts are now enriched with AI-powered insights that dissect rallies, generate 3D visualizations of player movement, and offer point-by-point breakdowns. This creates a deeper understanding of the game's intricacies and creates a more immersive viewing experience. Additionally, dedicated mobile apps provide real-time stats, personalized content, and interactive features, fostering a sense of engagement beyond the traditional match.
Players are also reaping the benefits of digital innovation. Training regimens are undergoing a data-driven overhaul. Performance metrics collected through wearable sensors and on-court analytics tools are used to identify weaknesses, optimize training strategies and even predict potential injuries. This allows players to train smarter, not just harder, maximizing their potential on the court.
At the forefront of this digital revolution is the ATP Tour, the governing body of men's professional tennis. The ATP Tour partnered with Infosys, a provider of next-generation digital services and consulting, extending the collaboration until 2026.
This partnership leverages Infosys' expertise in AI, data analytics and cloud technologies to enhance the fan experience and player performance in professional tennis.
Since 2015, Infosys and ATP have collaborated on various digital initiatives, including:
- Redesigning the ATP PlayerZone intranet portal
- Launching the first ATP Tour fan app
- Implementing AI-powered features through Infosys Topaz across the Infosys ATP Stats Center
These platforms have resulted in a 50% year-on-year increase in traffic to the ATP website's stats section and over 5.7 million digital engagements from fans globally.
Building on this success, Infosys and ATP will focus on personalizing experiences for players and fans through new AI and data-driven innovations.
The partnership also extends to sustainability efforts. The ATP Carbon Tracker, developed by Infosys, helps monitor and offset the carbon footprint of players. Over 200 ATP players used the platform in 2023, tracking 6.55 million kilometers of travel. This initiative supports ATP's goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2040.
“Over the years, Infosys' expertise in AI, technology and sustainability has yielded groundbreaking digital innovations that have elevated experiences for players and fans, and also grow the global tennis fan base,” said Daniele Sano, ATP's Chief Business Officer. “Through the ATP Carbon Tracker, Infosys helped us navigate a difficult challenge and inspire greener choices for tomorrow. We're excited to further leverage Infosys' expertise across the digital landscape of men's professional tennis over the next three years."
Sumit Virmani, EVP and Global Chief Marketing Officer, Infosys, agrees with Sano.
“Through a shared vision to enhance the digital experience for all stakeholders of the tennis ecosystem, our collaboration has successfully leveraged technological innovations to create an immersive and engaging experience for over a billion fans and thousands of players globally,” said Virmani. “We are enthusiastic about the next phase of AI-powered digital innovations.”
Infosys' commitment to tennis extends beyond the ATP Tour. They are also the Digital Innovation Partner for the Australian Open, Roland-Garros and the International Tennis Hall of Fame, with tennis champions Nadal and Iga Swiatek serving as brand ambassadors.
Edited by
Alex Passett
