The US Open offers an electric atmosphere for tennis fans. The energy is palpable as you walk through the gates of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. With multiple show courts, including the Arthur Ashe Stadium, there's always top-notch tennis to watch.
The fan experience is packed with activities, food vendors and merchandise shops. You can soak up the sun on the grounds, grab a drink at one of the many bars,or even catch a glimpse of your favorite players practicing up close.
For families, the US Open is a fantastic outing with dedicated kids' areas and interactive activities. Even if you're not a die-hard tennis fan, the vibrant atmosphere make it a memorable experience.
For the fans at home, enjoying the US Open from your living room or office offers a relaxed and convenient way to experience the excitement. With HD broadcasts, fans have the freedom to multitask, whether it's getting work done, socializing with friends or simply unwinding on the couch.
Tennis fans tuning into the US Open this year, from August 19 through September 8, can expect a more immersive and data-driven experience thanks to a collaboration between IBM and the United States Tennis Association, or USTA. Using AI, the partnership aims to change how fans follow the action from their fingertips.
One of the more exciting new features is the introduction of AI-generated Match Reports. Within minutes of a men's or women's singles match concluding, fans will have access to in-depth summaries on the US Open app and USOpen.org. These reports, powered by IBM's AI and data platform, watsonx, analyze player performance, key statistics and highlight moments. And another element of the technology behind it? Granite 13B, an LLM specifically designed for business applications.
This LLM, combined with the USTA's trusted data and editorial expertise, allows for the creation of long-form analyses at a previously unimaginable scale. Importantly, the USTA editorial staff will review and provide context and commentary before publishing the reports to make sure that the human touch remains at the forefront.
“AI Match Reports enables us to efficiently deliver concise, factual match previews and reports for over 150 matches to fans across our platforms,” said Brian Ryerson, Senior Director of Digital Strategy at the USTA. “The efficiency of providing this content at scale allows our editorial teams to focus on other storylines and interviews ensuring we can provide the most comprehensive coverage possible.”
This year also sees the return of AI commentary, a popular feature introduced in 2023. Building upon last year's success, IBM enhanced the system to generate more frequent, expressive and contextual commentary for highlight videos. There’s automated English-language audio and subtitles that summarizes key moments shortly after the match concludes.
IBM's SlamTracker got a makeover, too. This redesigned platform offers detailed pre-match previews, live analysis point-by-point and post-match summaries, all powered by watsonx. SlamTracker includes win probability predictions for each singles match, which adds an extra layer of intrigue for fans following the action. And the most innovative addition? A near real-time 3D graphic that depicts the current play on court during live matches.
IBM and the USTA Foundation also announced they are offering free career readiness training through IBM SkillsBuild. This program aligns with the USTA Foundation's mission to empower under-resourced youth and IBM's goal of skilling 30 million people globally by 2030.
Students from select National Junior Tennis and Learning chapters, teaching professionals and even the public will have access to AI and professional development courses. These include personalized learning plans, workshops, and guidance from IBM volunteers.
Additionally, a new guidebook and interactive micro-learning course, available in both English and Spanish, will offer insights into AI concepts and techniques used in tennis – from electronic line calling to player analytics – and provide an introduction to LLMs like IBM Granite.
“IBM's continued partnership with the USTA, built on more than 30 years of innovation, is an example of how businesses in any sector can modernize and scale their workflows with models like Granite and AI technologies like watsonx,” said Jonathan Adashek, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications for IBM.
The US Open serves as a testbed for how AI can truly transform the fan experience within sports. This collaboration demonstrates the potential of AI to not only enhance how fans consume the sport but also create educational opportunities for future generations.
As other sports leagues look to innovate their digital offerings, IBM's expertise in AI and data analysis offers options for partnerships. With AI, leagues can provide fans with deeper insights, personalized content and a more engaging overall experience.
Edited by
Alex Passett
