The future of coaching? Emma Raducanu trains two young tennis players via HOLOGRAM

By William On Apr 26, 2023

Have you ever fancied taking tennis lessons from one of the world’s top tennis players at your local tennis court?

This dream came true for two young players, who were allowed to train with 20-year-old superstar Emma Raducanu after she appeared as a hologram.

While Sam Clague, 14, and T’nae Diamond Paisley, 12, were both at the All England Club’s Community Tennis Center London, the British number one was in Abu Dhabi.

The world’s first holographic lesson, in which Ms. Raducanu gave tips on technology and answered questions, was delivered over Vodafone’s 5G network.

This meant there was no delay during the live session, despite the 4,370 miles (7,030 km) in between.

While Sam Clague, 14, and T’nae Diamond Paisley, 12, were both at the All England Club’s Community Tennis Center London, the British No. 1 was in Abu Dhabi

Ms Raducanu, Vodafone’s ‘Play Your Way to Wimbledon’ ambassador, said: ‘The next generation of tennis starts with the future generation of players.

How can technology change tennis?

Holograms allow players to take tennis lessons with the best coaches in the world, who may be stationed thousands of miles away.

Mixed reality headsets can make tennis players feel like they are playing in different locations, such as a space station or in the middle of a lake.

Full sensory virtual reality can allow a viewer to experience the sensations felt by the players they are watching.

Smart sensors in tennis balls, sportswear and even the players themselves can provide data that enables a more accurate referee.

Sportswear made from smart materials could enable a digital coach powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to provide feedback on a player’s form.

“Coaching Sam and T’nae in the first-ever 5G hologram class is just a scratch on the surface with this kind of technology and hopefully coaches can train the next Wimbledon champion wherever they are in the world.”

Sam and T’nae, from Wiltshire and Birmingham respectively, are both competing in ‘Play Your Way to Wimbledon’ – the biggest youth tournament in British tennis.

It gives youngsters the chance to compete on the world famous grass courts of Wimbledon.

During class, Ms. Raducanu’s avatar appeared to feed balls to the base players and provide live feedback on their shots, such as “that was fast” and “that had a lot of topspin on it.”

Even Sam said he thought she was prerecorded at first until she spoke to him directly.

Their holographic training session offers a glimpse of how advancing technology could revolutionize tennis coaching, said futurologist Dr Ian Pearson.

Players can be connected with the very best coaches from around the world and lessons can even take place in space.

He said: ‘Seeing the technology in action with Emma Raducanu coaching the next generation of British players is just the first of so many real-life applications of this technology in sports around the world.’

The world’s first holographic lesson, in which Ms. Raducanu gave tips on technology and answered questions, was delivered over Vodafone’s 5G network.

During class, Ms. Raducanu’s avatar appeared to feed balls to the base players and provide live feedback on their shots, such as “that was fast” and “that had a lot of topspin on it”

Pearson thinks mixed reality headsets will soon make tennis players feel like they’re playing in “bizarre virtual environments,” like on a space station or in the middle of a lake.

“Through 5G, the future of tennis will see a greater synergy between real tennis courts and the rich imagination we see in computer games – play when, where and whoever you want,” he said.

Full sensory virtual reality could even put the viewer in the shoes of the tennis player in real time.

Dr. Pearson said, “By 2030, active skin technology could capture the playstyles and even the sensations of top players, so everyone can experience what it really felt like to play that game through full sensory virtual reality.”

The holographic training session offers a glimpse of how advancing technology could revolutionize tennis coaching, according to futurologist Dr Ian Pearson

He also says smart sensors in tennis balls, rackets, sportswear, and even the players themselves allow for a more accurate referee.

Finally, sportswear made from smart materials can enable a digital coach powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to provide feedback on a player’s form.

Dr Pearson said: “AI-driven outfits made from smart materials, such as fabrics embedded with sensors, can help players find the perfect shot when hitting or returning a serve by quickly learning the muscle memory of a flawless forehand.

“Using direct feedback from friendly virtual AI coaches (with the potential to appear as current or historical stars!), new players can develop and learn much faster.”

Will futuristic technology lead to a sub-two-hour marathon? How smart clothes, nanobots that monitor health conditions and AI digital ‘twins’ could all help a runner break an elusive record

The world record for the fastest marathon is 2 hours, 1 minute and 9 seconds, set by Eliud Kipchoge at the 2022 Berlin Marathon.

He beat this time, reaching the elusive milestone of less than two hours, three years earlier in a park in Vienna, Austria, but this was not recognized as a record.

But with advancements in technology, we’re closer than ever to someone beating Kipchoge’s incredible time.

Here, MailOnline looks at some of the unusual technologies and inventions that could one day help an athlete reach the finish line in less than two hours.