On the field

TENNIS RACKET

The tennis racket is perhaps the most prestigious piece of equipment and has traditionally attracted the most attention in terms of technological development.

This is possibly because the racket is the individual's tool: it is the only equipment not shared by the players and can be tailored to the physiology and playing style of the individual.

The materials used for rackets have changed throughout the decades: beginning with wooden frames, experimenting with metal alloys, and arriving at carbon-fibre composites. Manufacturing methods have evolved accordingly, but there remains a considerable amount of manual labour involved in crafting a racket. These changes are more commonly appreciated by recreational players than by professionals, although both groups have benefited from the improvement.

The most advanced of the racket technologies created by tennis racquet manufacturers are described at Tennis Warehouse.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/technologies.html

What is the difference between #1 and #2? Federer racket and interview

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHke_-uzXc0&feature=related

Tennis Clothes

Tennis clothes have seen many changes over the years. Now they have become a medium for personal expression of individual style and important pieces of equipment in an increasingly physical sport.

A lot of the design of the modern tennis clothes is based on allowing the tennis players to move in a fluid, free motion. Tennis has become a very competitive sport, where every conceivable advantage, no matter how small is taken seriously. Most professional’s tennis players wear synthetic fabrics for their various advantages. For example: Modern tennis clothes are designed to allow athletes to feel unencumbered as they jump, twist, cut, and swing simultaneously in various combinations. Also they are lightweight and don't hold moisture. This also helps keep the tennis players dry and cool.

CONCLUSIONS

It is true that technology applications bring great benefits to tennis equipment’s that allow you to maximize your performance on the field at the same time that gives you a competitive advantage over other tennis players, but from my point of view there are some problems that we need to consider:

· Not all players have access to high-tech equipment’s, one of the main reasons is that some of these often are very expensive

· Although all athletes have such technological tools, always some equipment’s will be better than others, which means that when two equal level players face in the field of play, one of them could be an advantageous position. There would be no problem if all players use the same equipment but unfortunately this is not possible because some have agreements or contracts for use specific brands which prevent players can use the same type of uniform or racket.

Regardless of the controversy, innovation in the sports technology will continue, as a result the official sport organizations will have to develop rules governing advances for fairer competition.

Media, New Technologies, IBM Example

As we know, in this time we can find anything we want on the internet. The Media have done its work very well too. We think is very interesting and amazing how every single event can be showed, promoted, commented, sent to friends, and posted in all the social networks known. For this reason we believe this a huge step for the tennis sport.

A really good example of this is the Australia Open, which was boosted by IBM in order to be watched for millions of online viewers worldwide.
This started two years ago, when the Australian Open staff watched how much traffic to its web site grew nearly 50 percent. It was a significant achievement for Tennis Australia, the organization responsible for the Australian Open and one that represents the franchise’s success in bringing fans around the world closer to the ultimate tennis experience.
Helping make this possible is IBM, which is the Official Technology Partner of Australian Open. Since 1993, IBM has played a major role in the Australian Open Tournament, providing the event with the infrastructure and manpower needed to support all facets of the tournament. In other words, from event management to the “end to end” scoring system that feeds all the organization’s information channels, including the web site, on court scoreboards, results kiosks, graphics interface for television broadcasters and Match Update Centre.

“ IBM enables us to deliver a fresh approach year after year by combining tournament data from disparate systems and delivering it in a meaningful format to tennis fans.”
“IBM technology is at the heart of the tournament. It provides an end-to-end solution that reduces the complexities for our team and enables us to achieve flawless delivery.”

— Dr. Chris Yates, Chief Information Officer, Tennis Australia

Moreover, we find very interesting that new technologies are used to provide players with the information they need to take their games to the next level. One key example of this is the “Match Analysis DVD” that IBM has created for men’s and women’s singles matches at the Rod Laver and Vodaphone Arenas. With these DVDs, players and coaches can search the video by point, set or statistic, such as unforced errors, to analyze the player’s performance and make adjustments accordingly.

We firmly believe that new technologies and the media are transforming the way tennis is played, watched, and perceived by the world. We believe tennis goes hand in hand with them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvqbXawKoq8

ON-THE-FIELD (EQUIPMENT part 1)

Introduction

The technological innovations applied in the sports advance very quickly providing innovations that renew the way of practicing the different disciplines of the sports world.

In Tennis the technology is an integral part of the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals), WTA (Women's Tennis Association) and ITF (International Tennis Federation) tennis tours, featuring at the Masters Cup in Shanghai, the US Open, the Australian Open, the Wimbledon Championships and all high-profile events. Some of new technologies in tennis are the next ones:

LINE-CALLING SYSTEMS: Hawk-Eye

What is it?

Hawk-Eye it is a computer system used in diverse sports, as the tennis, in order to be able track the path of the ball. The computer system generates an image of the path of the ball that can be used by the judges to decide about doubtful plays.

How it works?

All Hawk-Eye systems are based on the principles of triangulation using the visual images and timing data provided by at least four high-speed video cameras located at different locations and angles around the area of play. The system rapidly processes the video feeds by a high-speed video processor and ball tracker. A data store contains a predefined model of the playing area and includes data on the rules of the game.

The system generates a graphic image of the ball path and playing area, which means that information can be provided to judges, television viewers or coaching staff in near real time

What the Players Say?

ON FAVOR

“Yet another terrific step forward for tennis, something that will benefit players and spectators and bring more intrigue into the game. Based on my experience in the booth with this technology, we’ll all be surprised at how good the linesmen’s eyes are compared to the players.”

Jim Courier

“The balls moving so fast these days that sometimes its impossible for anyone to see, even a trained official. With instant replay we can take advantage of technology and eliminate human error. Having just a few challenges will make it both fun and dramatic for the fans at the same time.”

James Blake

“In my 20 years in professional tennis, this is one of the most exciting things to happen for players, fans and television viewers. This new technology will add a whole new dimension to the game."

Andre Agassi

AGAINST

In the 2007 Dubai Tennis Championships, defending champion Rafael Nadal accused the system of incorrectly declaring an out ball to be in following his exit.

The umpire had called a ball out; when Mikhail Youzhny challenged the decision, Hawk-Eye said it was in. Youzhny said afterwards that he himself thought t

he mark may have been wide but then offered that this kind of technology error could easily h

ave been made by linesmen and umpires. Nadal could only shrug, saying that had this system been on clay, the mark would have clearly shown Hawk-Eye to be wrong.

Dubai 2007 Hawkeye dispute

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak8GRRFBN54

ADVANTAGES

· Hawk-Eye is the most sophisticated officiating tool used in any sport. It is accurate, reliable and practical, also is the only ball-tracking device to have passed stringent ITF testing measures.

· Give Umpires the Tools to do an even better job: Tennis umpires demonstrate outstanding accuracy in their judgment. Yet professional matches often hinge on one or two points during a key game in a tight set. An incorrect call can have a major effect on the final outcome. With the lightning pace of the modern game, a degree of human error is inevitable. Hawk-Eye ensures that officiating remains infallible.

· Provide an Accurate Coaching Tool: Match statistics in an easily understandable form are every tennis player’s dream. Hawk-Eye can help players to understand their games and improve.

DISADVANTAGES

· The Hawk-Eye Innovations website states that the system has an average error of 3.6 mm. The standard size of a tennis ball is 65 to 68 mm. This means that there is a 5% error relative to the diameter of the ball.

ATHLETE PREPARATION

The Use of Technology in the Training of Tennis Athletes

A challenge faced by tennis coaches and sports scientists is to be able to accurately measure what athletes are doing in the training and competition environment.

This is important because they need this information to have an idea of the physical activity levels associated with performance of each athlete. While all this time, the common feedback method that have been used in this sport, is subjective visual assessment by an expert observer or a coach. The problem is clear, different observers could have different opinions and give differing feedback, without being able to come to the same conclusion. Another problem is the high speed motions that cannot be clearly detected by human eyes.

Actually the performance of players have been monitored and analyzed by using objective measurement systems.

Radar Gun

“A radar gun or speed gun is a small unit used to detect the speed of objects, especially trucks and automobiles for the purpose of regulating traffic, as well as pitched baseballs, runners or other moving objects in sports”

Specifically talking about tennis radar guns, are devices that permit measure the speed and velocity of the racket swing of a player with the intention of optimize his performance.

There is a wide variety of these products, where we can find a various brand and different prices. Have become more consumers’ friendly and accessible over the last years. This variety of products make the decision of select a radar gun , a difficult one, the next link give you some tips in order to make the correct purchase: http://www.radarguns.com/how-to-buy.html

Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radar_gun
http://www.radargames.com/RADARtennis.html