IBM Analytics Come To The Net for Wimbledon

The All England Lawn Tennis Club has teamed up with IBM to launch a new Wimbledon web site, which uses predictive analytics featuring historical and immediate data, to determine the top three things a player must do in order to succeed in a specific match.

IBM has worked with the club since 1990 to introduce new data capture technologies which keep on-site broadcasters, media and tennis fans up-to-date with the latest scores and statistics. In addition, the firm provides analytical reports for the players, which are available as soon as each match has finished.

This year, the wimbledon.com web site is expected to handle half a billion hits during the championship fortnight. Built on IBM's SmartCloud infrastructure, the web site integrates a new online broadcast channel featuring both TV and radio, alongside the interactive analytics-enabled IBM SlamTracker scoreboard.

This scoreboard uses predictive analytics to enable fans to gain deeper insight into a match. It includes a 'momentum' capability which maps the match in real-time, and visualises turning points such as winners and aces, along with their causes.

Following a pilot in 2011, IBM will also be trialling a player movement measurement tool called SecondSight, on centre court this year. This tracks the fastest-moving players and analyses how their performance changes set by set and match by match.

Alan Flack, IBM's Programme Executive for Wimbledon, comments: 'This year a completely new web site takes the understanding and insight into the Wimbledon Championships to a whole new level. Using the power of cloud computing, each individual data point is integrated instantaneously to deliver a powerful experience for fans, players, coaches and officials alike.'

Web sites: www.wimbledon.com and www.ibm.com .