ITF

SCIENCE & TECHNICAL 26 SCIENCE & TECHNICAL: SCIENCE & TECHNICAL The beginning of 2014 marked the introduction of Player Analysis Technology (PAT) into the Rules of Tennis. PAT consists of any equipment that collects, stores, transmits, analyses or communicates information on player performance, and can include items that the player wears (such as heart-rate monitors), or carries onto court ('smart' rackets) as well as devices located around the court (player tracking systems). From 1 January 2014, ITF-Approved PAT was permitted for use in competition played under the Rules of Tennis. By the year end, seven products had been awarded ITF Approval. The ITF Technical Centre carried out accuracy testing of Hawk-Eye at Davis Cup and Fed Cup World Group ties throughout the year. Additionally, court pace testing to regulate the speed of the surface at Davis Cup and Fed Cup ties was conducted in Czech Republic, Estonia (UKR v BEL), France, Germany, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Switzerland and USA (ISR v ARG). The ITF Court Pace Classification Programme continued to expand. The number of classified court surface brands reached an all-time high of 303. ITF Recognition of courts also grew steadily, with six Two-Star courts and seven One-Star courts added to the official listing, bringing the total number of ITF recognised courts to 34. The ITF is developing a shoe-surface interaction test to compliment the classification of surfaces by court pace. In pursuit of this goal, the traction provided by shoes on acrylic, grass and clay surfaces was examined in laboratory and in-situ tests and a prototype test device is now under construction. A total of 292 brands of ball were approved for 2014, which included 81 Stage 1, 2 and 3 introductory balls. The ITF Technical Centre continues to supplement formal ball approval with market testing of brands collected from tournaments and shops; over 1,100 of these were tested in 2014, comprising 89 different brands. This year, the ITF Technical Centre introduced a policy to remove ITF Approval from brands in the event that the performance of market-tested balls did not meet approval requirements. The ITF Technical Centre promotes an open and productive relationship with the tennis industry through the ITF Foundation, which comprises 33 members. During the year two meetings were held with the racket and ball manufacturers and the court surface industry. The first report for the bi-annual Global Tennis Research project, an international survey of tennis participation and equipment sales, was distributed to ITF Foundation members and participating National Associations. The main objective for the project is to establish attitude and participation data, in addition to equipment sales in 21 targeted countries worldwide which can then be tracked over time. The Technical Commission has again been active throughout the year, guiding the activities of the Technical Department. In addition to discussion of the adoption of Player Analysis Technology, the Commission reviewed the types and definitions of tennis surfaces. The Sport Science & Medicine Commission (SSMC) has also been active in 2014. This includes an ongoing review of rules relating to hyperandrogenism and extreme weather conditions as they relate to wheelchair tennis. The SSMC is giving further consideration to the impact of toilet breaks in wheelchair tennis, and is contributing to the development of a paper that describes the health benefits of tennis, in support of the work of the Health Benefits of Tennis taskforce.

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