AI: Tennis Will Never be The Same

June 23, 2023

It’s the weekend, and what better way to wrap up the week than looking back at some of the best sport and tech stories. I mean, it’s not like it's summer or anything… Enjoy!

Here's what we got for ya today:

  • AI IS TAKING OVER!

  • Match-Fixing: Are we on The Brink of ANOTHER Scandal…

  • The MLB Has a Plan…

  • Boxing. Do We Have to Say Anything Else?

Most Valuable Sports Teams:

Let's get into it!

Wimbledon Like You’ve Never Seen it Before

When talking about the world's most exciting sports, we aren’t too sure many people would say Tennis…

While obviously interesting and fun to watch, relative to other sports, we reckon it’s fair to say that the number of ‘hardcore’ Tennis fans isn’t the highest.

With that though, it does seem as though there is that one special event that brings everyone together… Wimbledon!

And guess what? It’s just around the corner.

Starting in just a little over a week, the annual London-based tournament never fails to disappoint.

Showcasing glimpses of the next generation, while demonstrating the class of Tennis’ current elite, the competition embodies the timeless tradition that the sport holds.

Like we touched on a couple days ago though, Tennis is changing…

Whether you like it or not, the sport is going down a VERY distinct route; one which heavily revolves around technology.

Using it in various different ways, we've already seen how it can improve athlete safety, enhance viewer broadcasting experiences, and even replace human referees!

The newest news? AI commentators. Yep, it just DOES NOT STOP!

Having already worked with IBM for over 30 years, Wimbledon will be taking after Golf’s The Masters tournament in implementing such forms of generative AI.

Here’s what we know so far:

  • AI created commentary will likely exist to supplement the already existing AI generated highlight videos

  • These will work to add context and production value. Being remote, producers can tend the spoken commentary to specific elements for which they want to be focused on

  • This could work to increase fan engagement and ultimately bring new fans to the sport

“This is a great way to make those highlights more accessible and enable fans to enjoy them in a different way. This is a stepping stone on a journey where we would ultimately like to be able to generate commentary on all matches.”

Kevin Farrar, Head of Sports Partnerships at IBM UK

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No Time For Nonsense…

While it’s pretty easy to blame our favourite team's losses on corruption, bribery, or whatever form of cheating you’re able to name, the actual idea of match-fixing at the highest level of sport seems foreign.

I mean it couldn’t actually be happening, could it?

Well, it’s more common than you think… Just look at Juventus’ dodgy dealings a couple years back, and even what’s going on in the Brazilian Football leagues right now…

With all that, action HAS to be taken.

Threatening to damage Football’s integrity, player safety, team finances, and more, over the last couple years the German FA (DFB) has figured out a pretty good way to keep an eye on things…

Can we get a drumroll please 🥁🥁🥁

You guessed it, AI! Yep, in teaming up with Genius Sports – a sports data and technology firm – the DFB have been using a unique monitoring technology to ensure fairness across German Football.

Monitoring over 7,500 games a year, high-level predictive algorithms are used to consistently provide updates on suspicious betting activities.

This data is and has been immediately available to those in charge at the DFB, and has contributed to making Germany one of the best countries for Football fans.

Further extending the deal this week, it looks like both parties are NOT letting up…

Utilising Genius’ newest intelligence platform, the DFB will be able to receive information at a faster pace than ever and be able to better distinguish those involved.

Such a system will also allow the German FA a centralised vault of all reports and investigations, making the process of analysis clearer and more accurate.

I mean, hopefully we won’t see anything like this again…

Baseball: Time to Get Into The Game

Wow, this Baseball comeback could be the best one sport has ever seen…

Alright, we’re kidding. On a serious note though, it feels as though – with there being a sporting vacuum of sorts – Baseball has been able to not only explore, but distribute content on a larger scale than ever before.

With new innovations dropping every couple of days, it looks as though we’re entering a new age of Baseball consumption.

Looking to involve fans within every element of the game, it’s clear to see where the direction of the sport lies.

Allowing viewers a better understanding of what’s happening during a game, it’s hoped that the sports following can increase; especially with younger generations.

In looking at the MLB’s newest announcement, it doesn’t look like they have plans to stop anytime soon…

Featuring on YES – a New York-based TV network – the MLB will now be getting its very own app!

In an effort to keep audiences engaged with the live action, the app will be detailed with in-depth, interactive stats.

Moreover, to further ensure that all fans are kept up to date with what’s happening, the app will have the option to be linked onto SmartTV’s.

In extending the scope at which the app is available, YES and the MLB can tailor their content to appeal to multiple demographics.

This comes only a couple months after the league placed serious emphasis on creating more customisable features on their main app.

“The vision for the MLB App from the beginning was to be the #1 destination for baseball content anywhere, anytime.”

Chris Marinak, MLB Chief Operations & Strategy Officer

We Need to Talk About: Heavyweight Boxing

If you’ve been reading The Sports Road over the last couple of months, you would have an idea of our thoughts on the current state of Boxing.

To put things lightly, they’re – huh, how should we put this – mixed…

BUT, we have to give credit when it’s due. From fights such as Tank versus Garcia, to Terrence Crawford against Errol Spence – WHAT A FIGHT by the way 😍– recently, things have taken a twist for the better.

Unless we’re talking about Heavyweight Boxing, of course.

Haven’t heard much news recently? Makes sense.

With Boxing fans becoming regular to the words OFF, CANCELLED, STALLED, alright you get the jist, we’re not sure anyone would be surprised if we told you that the following fighters still don’t have ANY fight booked…

From Tyson Fury, to Anthony Joshua, to Deontay Wilder, the list goes on and on. And to be fair, Usyk’s most recent fight announcement – a fight which, let’s be honest, no one wanted to see – was only announced last month!

So with all that, you may be wondering why we’re talking about them today. Well, this week Eddie Hearn hinted at something that may just change everything…

An event that – if put on – could work to bring Heavyweight Boxing back to the forefront of sport and fans’ minds.

Imagine a card which would see:

  • Francis Ngannou vs Derek Chisora

  • Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder

  • Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk

ALL IN ONE NIGHT!

With Hearn stating that the event would take place in Saudi Arabia during December, it all seems too good to be true.

Knowing Boxing, don’t get your hopes up 😂

Quick Bites

Meme of the day

Quote of the day

“They accept losing a bit more [in MLS]. There is no consequence. You can’t get relegated over there. When you lose a game you go on to the next one. They accept losing a lot better over there. They know how to lose but they celebrate every win like you have won the championship. Messi will definitely enjoy it.”

Gareth Bale

Photo of the day

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