IBM Expands US Open Analytics with 21-Point Joint-Tracking Serve Technology

Industry Pulse News Desk · 2026-09-11

Advanced motion-tracking technology at the US Open captures player mechanics to analyze serve performance and player biomechanics.

International Business Machines Corp. has introduced enhanced spatial-tracking technology at the US Open, utilizing artificial intelligence and computer vision to monitor 21 key body joints during player serves. The system captures granular motion data to evaluate serve efficiency and mechanics in real time.

The technical setup continuously analyzes critical anatomical markers, measuring variables such as ball toss height, wrist flexion, torso rotation, and racquet angle upon contact. These metrics are processed instantly to generate detailed breakdown scores for every serve delivered during official tournament play.

While the immediate application offers broadcast viewers deeper visibility into match dynamics, the underlying dataset holds broader implications for professional athletics. By recording subtle shifts in biomechanics over the course of a tournament, the system identifies baseline performance indicators and subtle physical changes.

Sports analysts and training staff anticipate that long-term accumulation of joint-level data will transform performance evaluation. The comprehensive spatial modeling provides quantitative insights that could assist in optimizing stroke mechanics, adjusting recovery protocols, and mitigating repetitive strain injuries among elite competitors.

The initiative represents a broader trend within professional tennis to move beyond basic speed radar and line-call tracking toward full kinetic modeling. As spatial capture systems become standard infrastructure at major venues, automated motion analysis is expected to play a central role in both player development and tactical preparation.