Wimbledon has unleashed a new lightweight app to try and hook the growing tennis-loving market in Asia, while AI-generated highlights are getting smarter at spotting the most exciting action.
The official Wimbledon app is packed with heavy graphics but the new, slimmed-down alternative is designed for fans in places with poorer bandwidth and older smartphones -- especially India.
The prestigious tennis tournament reckons it can potentially reach several hundred million people in India who are interested in the championships but can only download data over slow mobile phone networks.
The slimmer app has lightweight scores, results, headlines and the order of play.
"India is one of the largest social media audiences for them globally," said Sam Seddon, IBM's client executive for Wimbledon.
"That's the nirvana fan base."
Wimbledon is also producing a Chinese scoreboard that can be embedded into websites in a bid to reach a bigger Chinese audience.
- AI learning to improve -
Every single shot at Wimbledon is logged by US technology giants IBM, with up to 180 staff capturing 4.8 million bits of information.
Their statisticians have been refining their artificial intelligence-generated video clips.
By monitoring a mixture of crowd noise, match analysis of key moments such as break points and player reactions, an overall excitement factor is produced for each passage of play.
But IBM has detected inadvertent bias in the AI system, which this year it has managed to iron out.
Seddon gave the example of a three-hour epic match on Centre Court.
"The place is full and everyone is screaming and cheering," he said.
Once it finishes, people step out for a breather.
"It doesn't matter who comes on next, the crowd noise will be different," Seddon explained.
"Same court, same high-profile players, same high quality of tennis, but the highlights could be inadvertently treated differently."
- Statistically capturing excitement -
The AI system has this year learnt how to recognise ball strikes so clips can automatically be trimmed to when a point starts.
Last year, the AI highlights garnered more than 14 million video views.
Despite the buzz generated by 15-year-old qualifier Coco Gauff, Roger Federer's army of adoring fans, and fiery Nick Kyrgios's clash with Rafael Nadal, the clips from those matches did not top the overall excitement factor rankings from the first week of the championships.
Statistically, the highest-ranking point, at 0.97 out of 1.00, was China's Zhang Shuai securing victory over former world number one Caroline Wozniacki, sinking to her knees with a double fist-pump, having come back from 0-4 down in the first set.
- Big screen vote -
Wimbledon is seeking to bring together as much digital information as it can on the 40,000-odd daily visitors to the complex in southwest London, in order to deliver a better fan experience.
Signing in with the official app, ground pass ticket-holders watching the big show court action on the giant screen can vote for which match they want to be shown.
"There's a value return in providing your data, to help Wimbledon understand more about user interests," said Seddon.
"It's been really interesting for them to understand what their fans on Henman Hill want to see."
Spectators have plumped for the big name players and British favourites that might have been anticipated, but have also voted for some more unexpected choices.
In the future, fans should be able to access more personalised highlights on their smartphones.
- Need for speed -
Seddon said the fan demand for immediacy in consuming sport was driving changes in the entertainment industry.
"Sport is becoming the cutting edge of the media industry, and AI is a component of the cutting edge," he explained.
"You can watch your box sets whenever you want. Sport is an in-the-moment experience.
"The challenge for the sports business is: 'who are my fans, what are they consuming?'
"And if you've got the data, how do you structure it to drive insights? That's the hard bit."
Emma Raducanu defeated fellow Briton Mimi Xu 6-3, 6-3 in the Wimbledon first round.
Xu, 17, was making her Grand Slam debut and appeared overwhelmed early on.
Raducanu dropped just three points on serve in the first set.
Despite a series of breaks in the second set, Raducanu regained control to seal victory.
She described the all-British clash as “difficult” but was pleased with the result.
The biggest home assault on Wimbledon for 41 years got off to a great start on Monday when Emma Raducanu triumphed in an all-British clash.
British tennis is enjoying a buoyant period, and although former U.S. champion Raducanu and Jack Draper are making most of the headlines, 23 local players started in the men's and women's singles this week, the most at Wimbledon since 1984.
With Draper not in action until Tuesday, British women's number one Raducanu was the main attraction, although home loyalties were somewhat split as she faced 17-year-old Welsh wildcard Mimi Xu, making her Grand Slam debut.
Xu had not beaten a top 50 player and never looked likely to break that duck on Number One court as she went down 6-3 6-3. Raducanu, desperate for a deep run in her home slam after a previous best of two fourth-round exits, did not have to do anything too extraordinary against a rival who for a while seemed intimidated by the occasion.
After Xu swung wildly for a rare air shot and then tumbled to the pristine turf after a slip, the 318th-ranked teen got what no young player wants to hear – some sympathy applause.
Raducanu swept to the first set, dropping only three points in her four service games, and with a lack of tension on court, the obligatory “come on Britain” shout drew the usual ripple of Wimbledon laughter usually reserved for any lingering pigeon.
Xu settled in the second set, however, finally getting to grips with the Raducanu serve during a run of five successive breaks, but the favourite got back on track to come through.
Raducanu moves into round two
Home favourite Emma Raducanu claimed a 6-3 6-3 win over fellow Briton Mimi Xu, who was making her Grand Slam debut."I'm super pleased to have come through that match. It is so difficult playing against another Brit in the first round," Raducanu said after her victory on Court One.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.
Kennedy scored two tries in Chennai’s 41-0 win over Delhi Redz in the final of the six-team rugby sevens franchise league held in Mumbai. (Photo credit: Rugby Premier League)
IRELAND Sevens international Terry Kennedy played a key role in helping Chennai Bulls secure the first Rugby Premier League (RPL) title in India on Sunday, as the new format marked its arrival in a country known for its focus on cricket.
Kennedy scored two tries in Chennai’s 41-0 win over Delhi Redz in the final of the six-team rugby sevens franchise league held in Mumbai.
India’s Olympic gold medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra attended the final. However, the crowd size was smaller compared to the audience that turned up to watch Virat Kohli’s Bengaluru team win the Indian Premier League earlier this month.
Despite that, organisers said the RPL’s broadcast on satellite television has provided hope that rugby could grow into a major sport in India.
“No matter how big a sport may be, there is always space if you work hard enough, if you create a product that's good enough,” Rugby India president Rahul Bose told AFP.
“In that respect we are very happy and very secure in the knowledge that there is space for this game and it doesn't have to come by eating away at anybody else's space.”
The RPL has opted for the shortest format of the game, similar to how the IPL focused on T20 cricket. The seven-a-side rugby matches in the RPL were played over four quarters of four minutes each, designed to highlight quick handling and speed over the physicality of the traditional 15-a-side version.
Kennedy was one of several experienced Sevens players brought into the tournament.
His teammate Joseva Talacolo, who also scored a try in the final, won a silver medal with Fiji at the Paris Olympics last year. Scott Curry, who has 321 caps for New Zealand’s All Blacks Sevens, featured for Bengaluru Bravehearts, who finished fourth after losing the third-place match to Hyderabad Heroes.
Perry Baker, the 39-year-old American who has twice been named World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, returned from retirement to represent Kalinga Black Tigers.
Bose said the public response to the first season had been encouraging.
“What we have heard is that the game is easy to follow, very fast, very exciting and has got tremendous amount of likeability,” said Bose, who is also a Bollywood actor.
“Along with that, the athletic prowess of these men has come in for a lot of attention. We are happy with the connect we have made.”
Plans for expansion
The RPL is also being seen as part of India’s wider ambition to host the Olympics in 2036. With continental qualification systems in place, India is looking at the possibility of fielding a men’s or women’s rugby team before then.
The RPL includes Indian players alongside international athletes and is managed by GMR Sports, which also owns the IPL team Delhi Capitals.
“The first season has gone very well for us,” Satyam Trivedi, chief executive officer of GMR, told AFP.
“The sponsors are happy with what they see on the ground and on TV.
“However, this is just the beginning for us. We are looking at the first season as a showcase event and take a lot of learnings from here.
“In every season this league will get bigger and better.”
(With inputs from agencies)
Keep ReadingShow less
Mahmood, a pace bowling allrounder, played 143 one-day internationals and 21 Tests for Pakistan. (Photo: Getty Images)
PAKISTAN on Monday appointed former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as the interim head coach of the men’s Test team. He is the fourth person to hold the position in the past 18 months.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the 50-year-old will remain in the role until January.
Mahmood, a pace bowling allrounder, played 143 one-day internationals and 21 Tests for Pakistan. He has been serving as assistant coach since last year.
“The PCB announces Mahmood as the acting red-ball head coach of the Pakistan men’s team,” said a PCB press release.
Mahmood replaces Aaqib Javed, who was interim head coach for the Test series in South Africa in December-January and the home series against the West Indies.
Javed stepped down after Pakistan lost all four Tests and finished ninth and last in the third cycle of the World Test Championship.
Before Javed, former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie had taken over but quit six months into his stint in December 2024 following differences with the PCB.
Prior to Gillespie, former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez was the team director and had overseen a 3-0 Test defeat in Australia.
Monday’s appointment is part of a series of changes by the PCB aimed at improving the national team’s performance following a difficult two years.
Last month, New Zealand’s Mike Hesson was named white-ball head coach for two years.
Pakistan will host South Africa in October in their first series of the new World Test Championship cycle. They will then play Sri Lanka at home in December-January.
Keep ReadingShow less
Indian cricket head coach Gautam Gambhir. (Photo by PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP via Getty Images)
GAUTAM GAMBHIR is under growing pressure ahead of the second Test against England after India's loss at Headingley made it seven defeats in 11 red-ball matches since he became coach last year.
The 43-year-old former opening batsman is facing flak from some quarters for his selections, man management and how he carries himself in press conferences.
India are ushering in a new era following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, with Gambhir widely reported to have played a part in the exit of at least one of the two veteran stars.
Led by new captain Shubman Gill, the visitors were beaten by five wickets in the opening Test of the five-match England series, adding to a growing sense of alarm.
The second Test at Edgbaston starts on Wednesday (2) and patience is wearing thin back home.
"Gautam Gambhir is under significant pressure. The situation is becoming increasingly tense," former India batsman Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
"He has managed two wins against Bangladesh and one against Australia, but we've lost three matches to New Zealand, three to Australia and now one to England.
"He has been losing and losing."
Gambhir, who as a player had a key role in India's ODI World Cup triumph in 2011, succeeded Rahul Dravid in July last year.
Dravid signed off a largely successful three-year tenure by winning the T20 World Cup.
Gambhir was chosen as his successor almost exactly a year ago but he and his side suffered a significant bloody nose when they went down 3-0 to New Zealand.
It was India's first Test series defeat at home in 12 years.
Along with chief selector Ajit Agarkar, Gambhir was criticised for leaving middle-order batsman Sarfaraz Khan out of the squad for England.
Karun Nair was picked ahead of Sarfaraz, who had scores of 68 not out and 56 against a visiting England last year, and made 150 versus New Zealand in Bengaluru.
Gambhir's detractors say he is hot-headed and accuse him of acting too much on instinct.
Speaking ahead of the series, Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik said that "tactically, Gauti (Gambhir) is a very good coach.
"Man management is the area that I am sure he would be looking at," he told Sky Sports' cricket podcast.
"But one thing about him is that he is looking out for his players, which is massive.
"What I feel at times is that the way he is aggressive as a captain, you can't be as a coach."
Critics don't like Gambhir's press conferences. Following the defeat at Headingley, Gambhir looked ruffled and snapped in reply to a question about Rishabh Pant's centuries in each innings.
The visiting batsmen scored five centuries in the match but still lost.
Former batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has said that Gambhir should be kept away from the media, after the coach bit back at Ricky Ponting ahead of the tour to Australia last year.
India went on to lose the series 3-1.
On the last day of the first England Test, when the hosts chased down 371, senior batsman KL Rahul and Gill's deputy Pant were seen making the fielding changes, rather than the skipper.
In the final overs it appeared pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah rejected Gill's idea of bringing him back into the attack.
Bumrah, who will only play two more Tests in the series to manage his workload, returned figures of 5-83 in England's first innings of 465 but went wicketless second time around.
A fit, firing and content Bumrah is key to India's chances.
South African great AB de Villiers questioned whether it was "mismanagement" or injury that was the cause of Bumrah being rested at a crucial point of the match.
Lack of bowling support for Bumrah and India's lower-order collapses -- from 430-3 to 471 all out in the first innings and 333-4 to 364 in the second -- also hurt the team in Leeds.
(AFP)
Keep ReadingShow less
Spectators take photos as the order of play board is set up on day one of the Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 30, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
THE four Grand Slams offer a trophy and place in the history books as well as significant prize money. Here is what you need to know about the prize pot on offer at Wimbledon 2025, the third major of the year:
When is Wimbledon 2025 happening?
The Championships will run from Monday (30) to July 13.
What is the total prize fund at Wimbledon 2025?
The total prize money is a record £53.5 million ($71.63m), a seven per cent increase on 2024 and double what they offered a decade ago.
How much will men's and women's singles players earn at Wimbledon 2025?
First round: £66,000 Second round: £99,000 Third round: £152,000 Round of 16: £240,000 Quarter-finals: £400,000 Semi-finals: £775,000 Runner-up: £1,520,000 Champion: £3,000,000
How does the winner's prize compare to Wimbledon 2024?
The winners of the men's and women's singles in 2024, Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz and Czech Barbora Krejcikova, received £2.7m ($3.61m) each in prize money.
What about the other grand slams in 2024 and 2025?
Australian Open 2025 singles champions, Italian Jannik Sinner and American Madison Keys, received $2.26m (£1.8m) each in prize money.
French Open 2025 singles champions, Alcaraz and American Coco Gauff, took home $2.92m (£2.15m) each. US Open 2024 singles champions, Sinner and Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, received $3.6m (£2.66m) each. Significant pay hikes at the Grand Slams were central to the demands of the world's top players in their letter to the four majors recently.
What is the prize money on offer in men's and women's doubles at Wimbledon 2025?
First round: £16,500 Second round: £26,000 Third round: £43,750 Quarter-finals: £87,500 Semi-finals: £174,000 Runners-up: £345,000 Champion: £680,000
What is the prize money on offer in mixed doubles at Wimbledon 2025?
First round: £4,500 Second round: £9,000 Quarter-finals: £17,500 Semi-finals: £34,000 Runners-up: £68,000 Champion: £135,000