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<\/p>\nBearingPoint Ireland\u2019s Gillian O\u2019Sullivan tells us about how the company is using data and AI to support the development of Ireland\u2019s tennis ecosystem.<\/p>\n
Irish tennis fans are no doubt excited for the coming weekend.<\/p>\n
Tomorrow (13 September), the second-round qualifiers for the 2025 edition of international men\u2019s tennis competition, the Davis Cup, kick off. Over two days, Ireland\u2019s premier tennis players will face members of China PR\u2019s team with the hopes of advancing to the next stage of the tournament.<\/p>\n
Tennis, like many other sports, has been increasing its usage of technology in various ways. From the use of Hawk-Eye tracking tech to AI-driven court analysis, tennis appears to be turning its eye to the capabilities of technology to aid the sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cTechnology and sport are increasingly intertwined, with digital transformation opening up new possibilities for performance analysis, resource management and user experience,\u201d says Gillian O\u2019Sullivan, country leader for BearingPoint in Ireland.<\/p>\n
In July, the tech consultancy company announced a new multi-year partnership with Tennis Ireland (TI) to use technology to transform how the sport operates and develops talent, from grassroots to professional levels.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe that harnessing the power of data and AI will be essential for driving innovation, developing talent and achieving ambitious goals for the sport,\u201d says O\u2019Sullivan.<\/p>\n
As TI\u2019s Official Digital, Data and AI Partner, BearingPoint has become the title sponsor for new performance data dashboards for TI, known as BearingPoint TI Advantage dashboards.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese dashboards will provide real-time insights into participation, player performance, rankings and development pathways,\u201d says O\u2019Sullivan. \u201cThey will be instrumental in Tennis Ireland\u2019s business transformation, enabling coaches and administrators to make data-driven decisions and support athletes more effectively.\u201d<\/p>\n
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From left: Peter Buldorini, Kevin Quinn, Gillian O\u2019Sullivan, Gary Mullane, Sin\u00e9ad Lohan and Conor Gannon. Image: INPHO\/Bryan Keane<\/p>\n
As O\u2019Sullivan explains to SiliconRepublic.com, the technology will transform how participation and performance data is captured, analysed and utilised, with different metrics to be measured according to the level of play.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe partnership focuses on transforming the methods of data collection, analysis and application, ensuring that the information gathered is both comprehensive and actionable,\u201d she says. \u201cData-driven insights will empower athletes and coaches to make informed decisions about training, development and competition strategies.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy analysing performance metrics, we can identify opportunities for improvement and tailor support to individual needs, ultimately enhancing athletic capabilities and helping players reach their full potential.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tech in play<\/p>\n
But what do the dashboards actually measure?<\/p>\n
At the grassroots and development levels, the dashboards focus on TI player and club participation data such as activity levels, match history, rankings and games played over time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis enables TI to have the relevant insights it needs as the National Governing Body for the sport for the whole of Ireland,\u201d says O\u2019Sullivan.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the TI performance level, the data becomes more advanced and specialised. Metrics may include physical and biomechanical indicators such as movement speed, acceleration and distance covered per match.\u201d<\/p>\n
She says that these insights \u2013 which can be captured through wearable technology \u2013 can be used to support strength and conditioning assessments.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdditionally, visual and advanced analytics could be used to assess shot value such as shot depth and spin rate, ultimately supporting swing analyse for coaches and TI performance players.\u201d<\/p>\n
The use of these dashboards will extend to every area of the support, including disability tennis.<\/p>\n
\u201cTennis is already an incredibly inclusive sport and we are proud to actively support the continued growth and visibility of disability tennis in Ireland,\u201d O\u2019Sullivan says. \u201cOur digital transformation initiatives will extend to all facets of the sport, reinforcing our commitment to inclusivity and ensuring that the benefits of technology and data are accessible to every player, regardless of ability.\u201d<\/p>\n
O\u2019Sullivan adds that the BearingPoint-TI partnership is also designed to be \u201cadaptive and scalable\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the partnership evolves, we\u2019ll continue exploring how best to integrate emerging technologies to support TI and performance players across the sport.\u201d<\/p>\n