Love tennis, it’s no doubt one of the best sports. If you spend most of your life parked in front of a computer, researching and flooding your brain with information like I do, getting out onto the tennis court is a great way to escape the digital world. All you need to worry about is spinning that ball back over the net and into the court.. Ah, bliss.
Although tennis and other sports have traditionally been the great escape from the domain of digital information overload, the convenience of modern technology, i.e., the mobile OS, Bluetooth, advanced sensors, etc, means that basically every sport and activity you can think of is now being accompanied by a virtual coach or tracker of some kind. We are in the Connected Age, and it ain’t going away anytime soon..
Tennis is an escape from technology for me, and I don’t compete in tournaments, therefore there’s not much chance of me taking one of these gadgets onto the court. But, if you’re looking to try and improve your game with detailed analysis by way of modern gizmo, then read on..
Best Tennis Coaching Gadgets 2016
Babolat 2015 Pure Drive Play
Embodying the age of connected tennis, the Babolat Pure Drive Play looks no different from a regular tennis racket at first glance. However, a gyroscope, accelerometer and microprocessor built into the handle collects data as you play and then sends it to a companion app for analysis.
The connected tennis racket will analyze your shot power, spin, impact locator (helps you find the racket’s sweet spot), number of strokes and stroke type: serve, overhead smash, forehand and backhand.
The Babolat Pure Drive is a high-quality graphite/tungsten racket, and the integration of technology into the handle hasn’t changed its feel or performance.
• Battery Life
Up to 6 hours.
• Memory
Approximately 150 hours of tennis.
• Compatibility
Babolat Pure Drive Play is compatible with iOS and Android devices, and connects via Bluetooth. You can also plug it into a desktop/laptop via mini USB.
Babolat 2015 Pure Drive Play
Babolat Pop
If the Pure Drive Play racket doesn’t float your boat and neither does the $300+ price tag, the Babolat Pop could be the answer. The trendy-looking smart wristband is the result of partnership with sensor specialists, PIQ.
Pop’s 9-axis sensor contains a gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer. After slipping the sensor into the wristband you can start tracking your game with a ton of metrics, including: power, swing speed, spin, number of shots, stroke type: serve, overhead smash, forehand, backhand, volley; court time, and longest rally. You also get an overall PIQ score which rates you on style, speed and spin.
The social aspect of the Babolat Pop app allows you to compare and rate your game data to other users around the world, including Rafael Nadal, and compete in challenges.
• Battery Life
Up to 10 hours.
• Memory
Approximately 10 hours of tennis.
• Compatibility
Babolat Pop connects via Bluetooth to devices running iOS 7.0 + and Android 4.3 +.
Babolat Pop
Zepp Tennis
Zepp is one of the more recognised brands, as their sports tech isn’t limited to tennis. The San Jose company also offer connected sensors for golf, baseball, and softball. The Zepp Tennis Swing Analyzer houses dual accelerometers and a 3-axis gyroscope. It attaches to any racket with its flexible mounting system.
Pretty much every aspect of your swing is covered with Zepp. Serves, smashes, forehands, slices, and flat shots are all tracked. Other metrics include: spin, power, racket speed, consistency, and sweet spot. There’s also a 3D Serve mode with features such as impact time, backswing time, racket speed, and ball speed potential.
A very impressive part of Zepp’s feature set is the ability to playback your swing and serve in 3D on a smartphone or tablet.
The heavy hitting Canadian Milos Raonic uses Zepp tennis to train, apparently anyway. Within the Zepp app you can compare your swing with other users and pro players, including Milos Raonic, and access their tips and training drills.
• Battery Life
2.5 hours.
• Memory
Approximately 2,000 swings can be stored.
• Compatibility
Zepp Tennis connects via Bluetooth to devices running iOS 8.0 + and Android 4.3 +.
Zepp Tennis
QLIPP Tennis Sensor
Unlike Zepp which is mounted to the bottom of the racket handle, the QLIPP tennis sensor attaches to the strings. At just 8 grams it’s extremely lightweight and works with any racket.
QLIPP tracks just about every aspect of your swing, with metrics including: speed, spin, slice, and sweet spot for different stroke types; serve, overhead smash, forehand, backhand, and volley.
A rather cool feature called Video Stroke Analysis enables you to record your session with a smartphone or tablet and then playback each stroke in slow-motion while detailing the stroke metrics; sweet spot, spin, speed etc.
The QLIPP app social platform connects to social networks and allows you to share your tennis stats. You can also see how you compare to other users on the community leaderboard. QLIPP is available for the Apple Watch.
• Battery Life
4 – 6 hours.
• Memory
N/A.
• Compatibility
The QLIPP Tennis Sensor connects via Bluetooth to devices running iOS (iPhone 4S +), Android 4.3 + and the Apple Watch.
QLIPP Tennis Sensor
Pivot
Pivot is cutting-edge wearable technology for tennis developed by Turing Sense. Wearing the 9-axis sensors on different parts of your body is a step up from motion capture technology worn on the wrist or mounted on a racket, according to Turing Sense.
Pivot captures your body movements in 3D at a rate of 100 movement frames per second. Turing Sense claim Pivot offers a complete set of data analytics. As it measures the biomechanics of your whole body, Pivot offers detailed statistics in areas that are overlooked by most of their competitors, including: footwork, body positioning, power, speed, strokes and more.
Also included is an impressive 3D playback feature that re-creates your body as a virtual 3D avatar so you can watch your movement and strokes onscreen with a 360° viewing angle as your avatar replicates your exact body movements.
The first generation of Pivot sensors will be shipping in August 2016. Learn more or pre-order at turingsense.com
Sony Smart Tennis
The Sony Smart Tennis Sensor attaches to the bottom of your racket handle, it’s compatible with select rackets from Wilson, Head, Prince and Yonex.
The sensor provides a detailed analysis of your game, with metrics including: shot type, impact spot (sweet spot), spin, ball speed, and swing speed.
The Live Video Mode allows you to record sessions with a smartphone or tablet and then playback the video along with the detailed stats for your strokes and form. You can also use the Motion Shot App which captures your movement and renders it into a still image which appears as a sequence photo.
The Sony Smart Tennis app allows you to share and compare stats with other users around the world, and you can also use PlayMemories to edit and share videos on a desktop/laptop. If you own a Sony Smartwatch or another Android Wear smartwatch, you can get your tennis stats on your wrist along with vibration feedback.
It’s worth mentioning that the Sony Smart Tennis has a tendency to fly off your racket mid game according to some users..
• Battery Life
Up to 3 hours.
• Memory
Approximately 12,000 shots can be stored.
• Compatibility
Sony Smart Tennis connects via Bluetooth to devices running iOS 7.0 + / Android 4.1 + and Android Wear.
Sony Smart Tennis
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