USING TRACKING TECHNOLOGY TO ESTIMATE BALL SPIN IN TENNIS

Authors

Olivia Cant, "Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University" and "Game Insight Group, Tennis Australia, Melbourne"Follow
Stephanie Kovalchik, "Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University" and "Game Insight Group, Tennis Australia, Melbourne"
Rod Cross, "School of Physics, University of Sydney"
Machar Reid, "Game Insight Group, Tennis Australia, Melbourne"

Category

Technology/equipment

Document Type

Paper

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the ability of a physical model to estimate the spin of trajectories measured by a multi-camera ball tracking system. Ball spin rates and spin axis estimated from theoretical ball trajectory models were assessed for their accuracy against high-speed vision (the ground truth). A trajectory model applied to ball tracking data was able to estimate ball spin axis direction with high accuracy and ball spin rates with an RMSE of 219.47 RPM. With tracking technology now common place during professional level tennis matches, the use of a trajectory model provides a non-invasive method to accurately estimate the spin imparted when hitting.

Recommended Citation

Cant, Olivia; Kovalchik, Stephanie; Cross, Rod; and Reid, Machar (2019) "USING TRACKING TECHNOLOGY TO ESTIMATE BALL SPIN IN TENNIS," ISBS Proceedings Archive: Vol. 37: Iss. 1, Article 125.
Available at: https://commons.nmu.edu/isbs/vol37/iss1/125