Wingfield: The Digital Tennis Court Is Here & It’s Well Smart!
Just about everything these days is digital! Dating, shopping, gaming, meetings, conversations - so it does of course make perfect sense that the tennis court should go digital too. And thanks to Wingfield it has!
The core component of the system is a smart net post that features two high speed cameras. The cameras track the action on court alongside another camera which is placed on the back fence. Players arriving at the court check in using the Wingfield app at the smart net post so the system knows who is taking part. The Artifical Intelligence within the system has been dubbed as ‘Walter’. Walter is to Wingfield what Alexa is to Echo. By the way, the company and AI name comes from Walter Wingfield - credited as being the founder of the modern game.
The technology looks mightily impressive - but what are the benefits for players and coaches? In short, it gives amateur players access to the sort of video and data that in the past has only been available to pro tennis players. Here are some examples…
Video highlights: Want to see your highlights? Video highlights will be sent to the app and for a small extra charge you can access the whole match!
Wimbledon like stats: Stats galore ! Unforced errors, winners, first serve percentage, percentage of forehands made, percentage of backhands made. There’s no end to the data you will be provided with!
Serve and stroke speed: Ever wondered what your serve speed is? Walter will tell you!
Automatic scoring: The system can undertake the scoring for you!
Gamified drills: You undertake drills which are built into the system and you and others players taking part in the system will get a score allowing you to track your development over time
When I first head about the system I figured it would probably cost a fortune. But it turns out I was wrong!! Indeed, on a 3 year deal you pay only £95 a month.
If you’re interested and would like to find out more, do please take a listen to my interview with Wingfield Co-Fonder and CEO Maik Burlage for the My Tennis Journey podcast. Having heard Maik’s passion and drive, I’m sure the Wingfield system is going to be a big success. To go directly to the episode with Maik, please do click the links below
APPLE: https://apple.co/3a3Yjwg (do please hit SUBSCRIBE!)
SPOTIFY: https://spoti.fi/2OF7wDQ (do please hit FOLLOW!)
AMAZON: https://amzn.to/2PNvzBj (do please hit FOLLOW!)
Source: Wingfield website. Please see: https://www.wingfield.io/
