Lifting your game with the Wingfield connected court
A net post that lets amateur players watch video of their own matches, analyse their raw statistics and compare themselves to the pros? Now, that’s smart. Tennishead takes stock of the Wingfield connected court
When it comes to tennis court equipment, we don’t tend to give the humble net post much thought. But with new technologies come new possibilities, and buying a net post is no longer merely a matter of choosing a manufacturer. It’s also about asking: Should my net post be able to do more than just tension the net?
The high-tech answer to this question comes from German sports-tech brand Wingfield’s signature product, the Wingfield Box, which transforms any tennis court into a smart, connected playing field. It empowers amateur athletes by offering the same data, tracking and online user experience previously only available to their professional counterparts.
ENGAGING WITH TENNIS IN NEW WAYS
Using artificial intelligence and innovative image- processing technology, Wingfield produces and tracks real-time performance data that enable players and their coaches to measure improvements. During a session, Wingfield’s two high-speed cameras create highlight videos so players can watch their own game. A wide range of statistics are also produced, including serve speeds, shot accuracy and the number and frequency of any errors. Powerful machine-learning algorithms extract useful information from the video footage, allowing players to filter video sequences by different criteria, such as serve-plus one patterns or offensive plays.
Using real-time performance data, Wingfield lets players and coaches of all skill and experience levels measure their personal improvements for the first time ever. In interactive playing formats, such as the Drill mode (pictured above), players get direct feedback by the Wingfield Box – blurring the line between analogue and digital experience on the court. In Match mode, players get a full summary of their performance and the match itself.
Wingfield’s system tracks the quality of an exercise and transfers this information to an intuitive rating system. A simple score, based on shot speed and shot accuracy, gives a direct assessment of players’ performance, letting them know to which degree they have achieved their desired exercise goal. This interactive feedback not only adds a new, motivating component to the game; it also gives players a better understanding of the technical adjustments they can make that may lead to improvement.
Wingfield is a tool that many coaches already rely on to increase the quality of their training. The German Tennis Federation (DTB), for example, uses Wingfield as an independent control authority in official match operation. Using artificial intelligence, Wingfield’s system acts as a ‘referee’ that analyses matches to ensure the rules of the game have been followed, and submits the results of this compliance audit directly to the DTB and its rating system.
GIVING CLUBS A HIGH-TECH ADVANTAGE
One of the biggest challenges for tennis clubs today is attracting new members or groups while also keeping current members happy. Innovative technology can be a powerful marketing tool in this regard, especially for the younger generations.
As clubs that have already acquired the Wingfield Box can attest, investing in innovative technology not only attracts new members, it also offers existing patrons value-added benefits. Wingfield is an affordable infrastructure investment for clubs that enhances any tennis program. And, as an added bonus, the Wingfield Box also tensions the net!
Over 300 clubs are already using Wingfield. You can find the nearest club in your area in their Court Finder. If you would like to use Wingfield in your own club, you can apply here with your club. Simply scan the QR code and fill out the contact form. Wingfield will then contact the club board to figure out what is possible.
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