����ֱ��

NEW YORK/RIYADH/LONDON: The ATP and ����ֱ��’s Public Investment Fund on Friday launched an updated technology platform designed to give players unprecedented access to performance data and analytics.

ATP Tennis IQ Powered by PIF will be available to all singles players across the PIF ATP Rankings for the first time, extending access to as many as 2,000 players on both the ATP Tour and ATP Challenger Tour.

The system provides real-time scouting tools, video analysis and wearable insights aimed at helping players refine their preparation, strategy and match performance.

Ross Hutchins, chief sporting officer at the ATP, said the platform marked a major milestone for the sport.

“One of the things we’re most proud of … is putting high quality data insights into the hands of more players, enabling easy access to information that can genuinely impact their careers,” he said.

“We’ve also made big strides in the sophistication of the platform itself. Working with PIF has accelerated that progress — scaling faster, supporting more players and delivering one of the biggest technological step changes in the sport.”

Mohamed Al-Sayyad, head of corporate brand at PIF, said the project reflected the fund’s ambition to improve sport through innovation.

“PIF’s partnerships are designed to address critical needs and leave a legacy of transformative impact, built on a shared ambition to elevate every level of sport on a global scale,” he said.

“ATP Tennis IQ Powered by PIF embodies how innovation can empower athletes. PIF remains committed to driving partnerships in sport to catalyze innovation, expand opportunity and support the next generation of talent.”

The technology was first launched in 2023 in collaboration with Tennis Data Innovations and TennisViz.

The updated version broadens access to all ATP coach members as well as players and introduces an upgraded interface, enhanced scouting and video tools, and integration with wearables to capture physical performance data.

The ATP said these enhancements would place “richer data and analytics at players’ fingertips in real time” to help improve training techniques, refine strategy and make smarter in-match decisions.

The platform forms part of a wider strategic partnership between the ATP and PIF, which last year became the official naming partner of the ATP rankings.

PIF is also a partner of major ATP Tour events in Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Beijing, as well as the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals in Turin and the Next Gen ATP Finals Presented by PIF, hosted in Jeddah until 2027.

LOS ANGELES: Top-ranked Jannik Sinner arrives at the US Open as the defending champion and a leading contender, though his withdrawal from the Cincinnati final on Monday due to illness adds a measure of uncertainty to his title defense.

The Italian looked off from the outset of his match against rival Carlos Alcaraz and, after quickly falling behind 5-0 in the first set, retired from the match, saying he “didn’t feel great” and apologizing to the disappointed fans in Ohio.

Tennis World USA reported that Sinner was battling a high fever and flu symptoms the night before and during his match with Alcaraz.

Sinner also mentioned the punishing heat and humidity during his match against Alcaraz, calling it “one of the hottest tournaments we played.” He then announced that he had withdrawn prior to his US Open mixed doubles match on Tuesday.

How quickly the 24-year-old can bounce back from his illness will have major implications for the final Grand Slam tournament of the year.

Sinner and world No. 2 Alcaraz have separated themselves from the pack, having won the last seven major titles between them.

While Sinner has compiled a stellar 31-4 win-loss record this year, three of those defeats have come at the hands of the Spaniard, who rolls into Flushing Meadows with a ton of momentum and a chance to grab the world No. 1 ranking from Sinner.

Prior to Monday’s final, Sinner looked unstoppable, not dropping a set in his first tournament since winning Wimbledon for his fourth Grand Slam title in July.

“I feel like it was a very positive week,” Sinner, who won the Cincinnati title last year, said on Monday.

“Making finals of a Masters event, it’s always an amazing achievement. So we’ll keep going, keep pushing. I have some points where I need to improve if I want to go far in the US Open. And it was a good test this week, trying to understand where my level is.”

He said his focus was firmly on the biggest stages the sport has to offer.

“I love Grand Slams a lot. These are the main tournaments for my season and for my career,” he said.

“So US Open is going to be a tough tournament, but at the same time, I’m looking forward to it. If I’m ready, physically and mentally, I will be ready to push.

“So now I have a couple of days of recovery, and then we get back to work, and hopefully we’ll be ready.”