IBM and the USTA Introduce New AI-Powered Fan Experiences for 2026 US Open
IBM and the USTA unveiled AI-powered features for the 2026 US Open, including Live Updates, Serve Quality metrics, Key Moments, and Match Chat to enhance fan engagement through personalized and data-driven insights.
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IBM and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced new AI-powered tools for the 2026 US Open, including a Live Updates homepage that prioritizes player and match preferences for fans. The platform will highlight personalized content, allowing users to focus on specific athletes or matches. The USTA and IBM have collaborated since 1992 to deliver digital sports experiences to over 14 million global tennis fans annually.
A Serve Quality metric will analyze 21 data points per serve, including limb tracking and energy transfer, using IBM Bob technology. The tool captures 50 data points per second across 254 singles matches, generating 1.2 billion data points. IBM Confluent processes the live data to produce real-time scores, offering fans deeper insights into serve mechanics and performance.
Key Moments expands the Likelihood to Win feature by identifying pivotal moments that shift match momentum. The AI-driven tool evaluates player statistics, historical data, and expert opinions to explain why a player is winning or losing. Fans will receive richer, contextual summaries of turning points during singles matches, enhancing their understanding of the game.
Match Chat introduces an interactive Q&A feature powered by watsonx Orchestrate, responding to fan queries with conversational answers. The tool incorporates live match data, analysis, and historical context, including relevant photos and videos. AI agents trained in tennis terminology and USTA’s editorial style ensure responses align with the sport’s language and fan expectations.