U.S. Open uses IBM Watsonx to track player biomechanics and win probability

The U.S. Open has integrated IBM's Watsonx platform to transform how player performance is measured and consumed. Using perimeter cameras to track biomechanics and ball movement, the system provides real-time metrics for fans and strategic data for competitors.

At the core of the system, Watsonx analyzes camera data to monitor specific limb movements, including wrist flex velocity and elbow and knee flexion. This telemetry calculates a "serve quality" score out of 100. For the tournament's approximately 14 million app users, the AI delivers real-time "likelihood to win" percentages and "key moments" analysis. By the tournament's conclusion, officials expect the system to have produced over one billion data points.

The Evolution of Court Analytics

IBM has served as the official Cloud and AI partner of the U.S. Open for several years, steadily expanding its telemetry. While win-probability features have existed within the tournament's ecosystem for roughly six years, the ability for fans to track these fluctuations in real-time is now in its second year of implementation. This shift moves the technology from static post-match reporting to a live, interactive experience.

Impact on Professional Play

Beyond fan engagement, the AI serves as a tactical tool for athletes. Player Jessica Pegula noted that tennis involves significant problem-solving and pattern recognition, particularly regarding serves. Pegula uses AI analytics to identify patterns in her opponents' serves, stating that the data helps her feel mentally prepared before entering a match.

However, IBM emphasizes that data supplements rather than replaces the unpredictability of the sport. Tyler Sidell, IBM's technical program director for sports and entertainment partnerships, noted that while the goal is to provide insight, the inherent unpredictability of sports means anything can happen on the court.

The Shift Toward Agentic Analytics

This integration represents a broader industry shift toward "agentic" sports analytics. Rather than simply presenting raw data, the system converts complex biomechanical movements into actionable insights for professionals and engaging content for the public. This effectively blurs the line between the physical execution of the game and its digital analysis.

Moving forward, the industry will watch how these real-time biomechanical scores influence coaching and player training. While current tools provide a window into performance, the full extent of how this data will be integrated into official officiating or player rankings remains to be seen.