Game Insight Group

Image Producing stars
Producing stars
Image Engaging fans
Engaging fans
Image Growing participation
Growing participation

The Game Insight Group (GIG) is a joint venture between Tennis Australia and Victoria University that aims to make tennis the most digitally advanced sport on the planet.

It does this by blending sport with data science and computer visuals for professionals, amateurs, fans and the sporting industry.

Many of the statistics shown at the Australian Open grand slam are powered by GIG.

Focus of the Game Insight Group

Current focus

In recent years, GIG's focus has been on three key areas:

  • producing stars: creative competitive advantage for elite players on the world stage through data
  • engaging fans: allowing fans to get a closer insight into the game through data fed to media outlets
  • growing participation: developing experiences through data that enhance amateur players' abilities, as with the Tennis Lab (see below).

Key initiatives

  • Developing new statistics to quantify a tennis player’s ‘DNA’ to tell a better and more comprehensive tennis story.
  • Tracking the emotion of players in a match through facial recognition technology.
  • Creating the 'perfect game' by customising tennis for individuals, through modified tennis formats and applying virtual reality simulations.
  • Developing the 'Tennis Lab' to build expertise and evidence on emerging technologies in tennis.

Timeline

2010 – VU sports scientists and students involved in a collaborative research agenda with Tennis Australia.

2015 – Collaboration formalised into a strategic partnership. One significant feature of the partnership is shared staff appointments. With VU researchers embedded in Tennis Australia, both institutes benefit from practical, real-world innovation and insights.

2017 – An exciting commercial research venture with Tennis Australia called the Game Insight Group (GIG) was established.

Today – GIG consists of expert data analysts, computer engineers, sports scientists and product innovators collaborating to enhance players, coaches and fans engagement with tennis through science.

 

More on our achievements

A man in orange sport uniform plays tennis on an asphalt court
Tennis lab
The Tennis Lab applies GIG learning to amateur tennis players' games. Services include helping people pinpoint the perfect racquet and string combination, based on their body make up and playing style
Read more
Smashing records at AO 2021
Australian Open fans witnessed a history-making moments in 2021 thanks to a statistical innovation from the GIG.
Burn out or Burn Bright: The Future of Men's Tennis 2018
GIG data shows that top ranking international male tennis players are playing more demanding schedules than any previous generation in tennis history.
VU experts reveal science behind Australian Open 2018
During the 2018 Australian Open tennis tournament our sport and exercise experts regularly contributed their insights into the research behind the action.

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To see the latest developments from Game Insight Group, follow our X account.

X: @tennisausgig