Marc Sieber, co-founder of Tennisbase, has launched a groundbreaking video analytics partnership with Eldar Kedem, leveraging Walking Around’s platform to deliver real-time tactical insights for players and coaches. The collaboration merges Tennisbase’s data expertise with Kedem’s video analysis tools, creating a first-of-its-kind resource for the sport. Here’s what it means for the tennis world.
Tennisbase and Eldar Kedem’s Video Analytics Partnership: How It Will Change the Game
Sources: Tennisbase official announcement, Walking Around platform details, ITF press release, interviews with Marc Sieber and Eldar Kedem.
The Partnership: What Tennisbase and Eldar Kedem Are Building Together
Marc Sieber, co-founder of Tennisbase—the leading provider of tennis data and analytics—has announced a strategic collaboration with Eldar Kedem, the former Israeli tennis player turned video analysis specialist. Through this partnership, Tennisbase will integrate Kedem’s video-based insights into its platform, using Walking Around’s technology to deliver granular, real-time tactical breakdowns for players, coaches, and analysts.
The announcement came after months of development, with Tennisbase confirming the integration will roll out globally in phases, beginning with elite-level players and coaches. “This isn’t just about data—it’s about making that data actionable through video,” Sieber said in an exclusive interview. “Eldar’s work with Walking Around has redefined how we can visualize performance in tennis. Combining that with our statistical models creates something truly unique.”
Kedem, who previously worked with players like Daniil Medvedev and Naomi Osaka, emphasized the human element: “Video analysis has been a game-changer for me, but the real power comes when you pair it with hard data. That’s what this partnership delivers.”
Why This Collaboration Is a Turning Point for Tennis Analytics
This partnership marks a significant evolution in tennis analytics, bridging the gap between raw data and visual storytelling. Here’s why it stands out:
- Real-time insights: Unlike traditional post-match breakdowns, this integration allows coaches and players to analyze tactics during training sessions or matches, using live video feeds synced with Tennisbase’s performance metrics.
- Player-specific feedback: The system can highlight patterns in a player’s serve motion, return positioning, or court coverage, then cross-reference those with statistical trends (e.g., “Your second-serve percentage drops 12% when you move laterally after the toss”).
- Competitive edge: Early adopters, including several ATP and WTA players, have already reported using the tool to refine their strategies. One source close to the project noted, “This could be the difference between a player cracking the Top 50 or plateauing at 100.”
- Accessibility: While elite players will have priority access, Tennisbase plans to introduce a scaled-down version for junior players and club coaches, democratizing high-level analytics.
How This Stacks Up Against Current Analytics Tools
| Feature | Tennisbase + Kedem | Traditional Video Analysis (e.g., Hawk-Eye Live) | Data-Only Platforms (e.g., Flashscore, Tennis Abstract) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real-time sync with video | ✅ Yes (live integration) | ❌ No (post-match only) | ❌ No |
| Tactical breakdowns | ✅ AI-assisted + human review | ✅ Manual (limited to match footage) | ❌ No |
| Player-specific trends | ✅ Customizable alerts | ❌ Generic stats | ✅ Yes (but no video) |
| Cost | $$$ (Elite tier) | $$ (Match-based) | $ (Subscription) |
*Sources: Tennisbase pricing documents, Hawk-Eye Live features, Tennis Abstract subscription tiers.
Who Stands to Gain—and Who Might Resist?
The immediate beneficiaries are clear: elite players, their coaches, and analytics teams. But the ripple effects could extend further:
Players and Coaches: A New Training Paradigm
Players like Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams have long relied on video analysis, but the process has been fragmented—coaches manually tag clips, then cross-reference with stats. This partnership automates that workflow. “Imagine being able to pull up a heatmap of your opponent’s serve patterns mid-match and adjust your return strategy on the fly,” said a source familiar with the project.
Coaches, too, gain a competitive tool. “Right now, if you want to know why a player’s backhand is breaking down, you’d need to watch hours of footage and guess,” explained Kedem. “This system tells you exactly which biomechanical tweaks correlate with a 15% improvement in win percentage.”
The Analytics Industry: Disruption or Evolution?
Established analytics firms may view this as both an opportunity and a threat. Companies like Flashscore and Tennis Abstract focus on data, while video platforms like Hawk-Eye Live prioritize visuals. Tennisbase’s hybrid approach could force a rethink of how the industry categorizes itself.
One industry analyst noted, “This could be the start of a shift where data and video aren’t separate tools but part of the same ecosystem. The question is whether others will follow—or get left behind.”
How Walking Around’s Platform Powers the Insights
At the heart of the collaboration is Walking Around’s AI-driven video tagging system, which uses computer vision to track player movements, ball trajectories, and court positioning in real time. Here’s how it works:
- Video capture: High-definition cameras (or even smartphone footage) feed into the system during training or matches.
- AI tagging: The platform automatically labels key moments (e.g., “first-serve miss,” “double-fault,” “approach shot winner”).
- Data overlay: Tennisbase’s statistical models then layer on context—such as comparing the player’s serve speed to their opponent’s return success rate.
- Actionable insights: Coaches receive alerts like, “Your forehand effectiveness drops 22% when your opponent stands at the T-junction.”
Walking Around’s co-founder, Eldar Kedem, emphasized the platform’s adaptability: “We’ve worked with basketball, soccer, and now tennis. The beauty is that the same tech can be tailored to any sport’s unique metrics.”
Rollout Timeline and What to Watch For
Tennisbase has outlined a phased rollout:
- Phase 1 (Q4 2024): Pilot program with 10–15 elite players and their coaching teams. Focus on refining the AI’s accuracy for tennis-specific movements.
- Phase 2 (2025): Expansion to ATP/WTA Tour-level coaches and analytics departments. Integration with existing tennis management software (e.g., PlayerTracker).
- Phase 3 (2026): Consumer-facing app for junior players and club coaches, with simplified analytics.
Sieber confirmed that negotiations are underway with several tour-level players, though he declined to name names. “Our goal is to make this a standard tool, not just a luxury for the top 1%,” he said.
How to Stay Updated on the Partnership’s Progress
For those eager to track developments:
- Follow @the_tennisbase for official announcements and player testimonials.
- Check Walking Around’s blog for technical updates and case studies.
- Watch for Tennisbase’s upcoming webinars, where they’ll demo the tool live.
- ITF and WTA/Tour officials may announce broader adoption plans in their 2025 technology reports.
Key Takeaways
- The Tennisbase-Eldar Kedem partnership merges video analytics with hard data, creating a real-time tactical tool for tennis.
- Early adopters include elite players and coaches, with a consumer version planned for 2026.
- The technology could redefine training methods, from biomechanics to in-match strategy adjustments.
- Industry observers see potential disruption to traditional analytics and video analysis firms.
- Follow Tennisbase’s official channels for rollout updates and player feedback.
The next major checkpoint is Tennisbase’s Q4 2024 pilot program, where they’ll announce the first players and coaches using the full integration. If successful, this could become a staple for the sport—much like Hawk-Eye line calls or statistical models in baseball.
For now, the tennis world watches closely. As one analyst put it: “This isn’t just another analytics tool. It’s a glimpse into the future of how the game is coached—and won.”
What do you think? Will this change how tennis is played at the elite level? Share your thoughts in the comments—or tag us on Twitter with your predictions.
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