| TST 2003 |
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Successful ITF TST Congress Stimulates Lively Debate
The ITF held its 2nd Tennis Science & Technology (TST) Congress last week at the University of Surrey, Roehampton. Over 160 of the world’s leading tennis science and technology researchers were present for three days of outstanding presentation and discussion.
A total of 60 presentations were given, the standard of which was extremely high, and the congress brought together a very wide range of groups. In addition to scientists, the delegates included representatives from the equipment manufacturers, coaches, court constructors, and national governing bodies. The congress was officially opened by the ITF President, Francesco Ricci Bitti, who commented on how understanding technology was crucial to the future of tennis – words that were echoed by ITF Board of Directors member and Technical Commission Chair Ruurd de Boer.
There were two panel discussions that dealt with current issues in tennis. The first, preceded by an overview by the ITF Technical Manager Dr Stuart Miller on the individual and interactive contributions of equipment to the speed of tennis, was entitled ‘Tennis and the modern racket: small is beautiful?’, and centred on the effects of racket dimensions on the nature of the game. A distinguished panel, including John Barrett (author and BBC broadcaster), Georgina Clark (WTA Vice President of European Tour Operations), Mark Petchey (Great Britain Davis Cup player), Howard Brody (ITF Technical Commission) and Po-Jen Cheng (Research and Development Director, Wilson Racquet Sports) contributed to a lively and entertaining consideration of the future of tennis racket technology. The second panel, held on the final day, dealt with automated line-calling systems. This was probably the first time that representatives of manufacturers, the professional tour, television and the governing body had been brought together, which led to an entertaining and wide-ranging discussion.
Keynote Presentations were made by Professor Rod Cross from Australia, Paul Roetert, Head of the USTA High Performance Centre, and Justin Smith of the LTA. Delegates were shown examples of the latest tennis technology. Hawk-Eye brought their virtual reality tennis game, in which delegates were able to compete in a virtual Wimbledon tournament against top professionals. SiliconCoach ably demonstrated the benefits of video technology for visual feedback, while EDH brought their latest three-dimensional ball tracking apparatus (the official serve speed apparatus of the Davis Cup), which had been used for the first time at a tournament only days previously.
The congress saw the presentation of the first Howard Brody Award for outstanding contributed paper, which was presented in person by Professor Brody to Andrew Ashcroft of Cambridge University. Delegates were also given a tour of the ITF Technical Centre, and visits to the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum and Hampton Court Palace (home of the oldest tennis court in England, built in 1520 by Henry VIII) were also offered. The congress banquet was held at the All England Lawn Tennis Club.
For photographic highlights, click here
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