A French racquet company, best known for its equipment used by the world's top players like Rafael Nadal, Li Na and the like, has reportedly developed 'connected racquets' with sensors feeding back information on the players' forehands, backhands and other data.
Declared legal by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), who adopted a new rule covering the technology at the start of the year, selected Babolat rackets would feature data-collecting sensors in their handles.
According to Stuff.co.nz, maker of the racquets Eric Babolat said that a handful of the world's best tennis players would show up at tournaments within weeks armed with new technology they hope will give them an advantage at the French Open and Wimbledon.
Stating that the technology had been developed over 10 years, Babolat further said that information directly transmitted from the player's racquet would tell exactly what is happening and not just a feeling from the player.
The report mentioned that in essence, the technology-loaded rackets collect data such as shot power and ball impact location along with the number of strokes, the level of spin imparted, total play time, endurance, technique, consistency, energy and rallies.
The information is transmitted through bluetooth to smartphones or tablets where players and coaches could analyse and share their data with other analysts and online communities, the report added.