WHAT TENNIS CAN LEARN FROM FORMULA 1


Data can provide useful insights but how much value is this knowledge contributing to player performance?


achieved. Two areas where this can be applied are simulation and aerodynamics.


Formula One teams regularly use simulators to prepare drivers to face different conditions and challenges. Race conditions can be simulated down to the smallest detail.


This approach can also be applied to tennis. Coaches already identify aspects of opponents their players should be prepared to face, so why not develop the technology to simulate these? It would enable players to actually practice their game plan weeks before a match, ensuring every return and serve is precision engineered to beat an opponent.


The same approach can be applied to aerodynamics. To an extent it is understood that a different racket can make a difference in various points of the game. Tennis matches are long and varied, so a racket optimised in one way will be good for big serves, but possibly in another for more technical front court shots. Changing between rackets mid-rally is of course not possible, so what if a racket could be adapted mid-way through a game? There has been some discussion around nanotechnology and applying this to produce a dynamic racket that alters its aerodynamic properties and formation at different points in a game.


The nature of the sport has meant that Formula One has always been full of engineering minds, but I believe it is now time other sporting disciplines learnt from this. The technical nature of the sport is not just down to the fact it involves cars, but because team members are fully dedicated to constantly looking for that extra millisecond.


In short, I believe there is plenty that could be learnt through data sharing between Formula One and tennis. To replicate the success of Andy Murray, moving from an outlier to World No.1, the sport would be advised to adopt these principles.


“Data can provide useful insights but how much value is this knowledge contributing to player performance?”


Samir Abid, MBA, CEng Samir Abid is Founder and CEO of Pace Insights. Using his expertise from motorsports and automotive engineering, Samir leads his team to design and build customised software tools and equipment that enables elite sports teams to improve performance.


A Chartered Mechanical Engineer, Samir has a degree in Automotive Engineering Design, a Diploma in Motorsport Race Engineering and an MBA from Warwick Business School.


When he’s not helping professional sports teams produce world class athletes, Samir spends time with his young family as well as competing nationally as a racing driver.


About Pace Insights Established in 2011, Pace Insights improves sporting performance through the application of technology. The team leverages experience from the world of motorsports, introducing cutting edge technology and techniques to the wider professional sporting arena to maximise performance success.


Taking a problem solving approach, Pace Insights builds custom software tools and hardware equipment. Software products enable complex data analysis and visualisation, providing coaches with the insight to improve performance of sporting stars. Personalised equipment, designed and built to meet both training and competition rules enables high performance professionals to achieve all-important marginal gains.


Pace Insights works at individual, team and organisational level unlocking insights that deliver success. Current customers include over 30 British-based sports organisations including: UK Sport, EIS, Team Sky, GB Boxing, British Sailing, British Athletics, British Swimming and the British Equestrian Federation.


INTERNATIONALTENNISMAGAZINE March 2017 | 21 www.isportgroup.com/InternationalTennisMagazine


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