Brisbane, Australia — SAP today announced that it is continuing to collaborate with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) in a global relationship to help provide tennis players, coaches, fans and the media with unprecedented insights through interactive analytics underpinned by the SAP HANA platform. The announcement was made at Brisbane International 2014, being held December 29 – January 5 in Brisbane, Australia, where SAP is the official technology partner.
Since the SAP and WTA relationship announcement in August 2013, SAP has been working with the WTA to develop innovative technology and apps to further engage fans, offer players the tools to analyze performance and optimize strategy, and better serve the media. To launch the 2014 WTA season, SAP has partnered with the Brisbane International, a WTA Premier tournament leading up to the first Grand Slam of the year.
“We are excited to work with the WTA and the Brisbane International to help take the tennis experience to the next level for fans, media, players and coaches,” said Andrew Barkla, President & Managing Director, SAP Australia and New Zealand. “The innovative solutions we have already developed are only the beginning of what we plan to deliver for the tennis world in 2014 and beyond.”
In Brisbane, coaches will continue to receive access to SAP post-match point-by-point analysis, allowing them to focus on the subtle differences and technique variations that players use throughout a match. Not only does this allow coaches to dissect their player’s game, it can also be used to analyze other players and help develop an optimal strategy for each opponent. Information can now be tailored specifically to the player and coaches individual needs.
“I’ve always incorporated statistics in my work whether with my player on tour or at my tennis Academy. I believe that we need an objective tool to serve our expertise and make it more accurate. I’ve been looking for a tool of that level for many years and I finally found it with SAP” said Patrick Mouratoglou, coach of WTA World No. 1 Serena Williams. “The ability to access tailored SAP data means I can now provide my player with a more scientific level of information on her game and that of her opponents. I see this new technology as a big step forward for the sport.”
Brisbane International media will also receive access to SAP analytics and insights, aiming to help them deliver a more informed commentary. For the first time, SAP will provide the media with insightful and easily consumable post-match notes which offer point-by-point analysis via a simple point tracker, highlight key events in the match, and compare previous head-to-head and 2013 season performance statistics.
SAP is taking its expertise in business to the business of sports, with an aim to transform the sports experience by enhancing and evolving how data is consumed and ultimately used to make decisions, as well as influence and envision new possibilities. SAP and the WTA plan to help tennis grow and develop by increasing participation and enabling organizations and tournaments to deliver a superior sporting experience.
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Media Contact: Perry Manross, perry.manross@sap.com, AEDT
