Ferrero academy installs PlaySight technology
Originally published on 09/06/16 00:00
It is the first academy of its kind in Spain to debut the smart video analysis technology.
Playsight’s SmartCourt technology uses five High Definition cameras positioned around the court to automatically tag all the events that take place during a session, whether training or a match, and provide analysis without the need for wearable sensors or court-side operators.
Players can then watch selected events, such as every cross-court forehand that went wide, with no need to watch the whole video. PlaySight also logs information such as height of the balls over the net, ball speed and the depth of balls hit within the court.
PlaySight has already been installed on all training courts at the four Grand Slam venues as well as at the Queen's Club and Stoke Park in the UK, and now Juan Carlos Ferrero’s academy has followed suit.
“This leading technology allows a player to improve their strokes more quickly thanks to instantaneous, personalised information made readily available at one’s finger tips,” said Antonio Cascales, Ferrero’s long-time coach and co-founder of the academy.
“We’ve installed these smart courts with a clear objective in mind; to foster continuous player development mediated through an elite, game-changing technology used by the professionals.”
Former world No.1 Ferrero believes the technology will help players take more responsibility for their own development.
“The target objectives of the exercises are defined much more visually,” he explained. “The machine tells you when you have successfully met your objectives, it even commends you with applause. It makes players more aware of how they play, they can see their mistakes and learn how to improve along with their coaches. It would have been much better to have this technology available [in my day].
“With this technology, we can now present to whatever class of player whether it be child, adult, or professional, the opportunity to go home with a new and unique experience. An analysis of their game can be readily accessed 24/7 at the touch of a button through their mobile phones.”
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