Wearable technology to debut at Next Gen ATP Finals

LONDON: For the first time on the ATP Tour, players will be permitted to use wearable technology in competition this year during the Next Gen ATP Finals, to be held 5-9 November at the Allianz Cloud in Milan.

The data collected will allow players and coaches at the 21-and-under event to quantify the demands of the competition, better understand athlete loading and make key performance decisions that are supported with objective data.

The GPS receiver and inertial sensors in the device will measure velocity and direction, acceleration and force, rotation, body orientation, and will quantify internal load (through heart rate). The data from the wearable device, which will only be accessible by each player and those that the player gives access to, will provide accurate maps of movements and actions.

Players and coaches will be provided with post-match and post-practice reports, and they will also have the opportunity to synchronise the data with match footage to add additional context. One-on-one support from the vendor will be provided on-site throughout the week.

The third edition of the Next Gen ATP Finals will also see the continuation of a number of innovations, including a best-of-five set format, shorter sets to 4 (tie-break at 3-All) and No-Ad scoring. Other innovations include Electronic Line Calling through Hawk-Eye Live, a 25-second Shot Clock, In-Match player coaching via head-sets, Video Review and more.

This year’s tournament will also see the return of the traditional ‘let’ rule, following the decision to bring to a close the ‘no let’ trial that was in place across the first two editions of the event.