Court-side intelligence
Emma Raducanu, the British tennis player, recently spent time on her phone using ChatGPT to explore how frequently she engages with the AI tool and what it might reveal about her personality. She described this as a kind of self-assessment, similar to Spotify’s Wrapped, where the AI compiled an analysis of her ChatGPT behavior. To her surprise, the results were uncannily accurate, giving her a clear and concise summary that she found difficult to argue with. She admitted that some parts of it resonated with her, even if she didn’t fully agree with every point.
As generative AI has rapidly evolved and become a part of everyday life, athletes, including tennis players, are now trying to understand how these tools might impact their careers and personal routines. Some see AI as a potential tool for gaining an edge, while others remain cautious or even dismissive.
AI in scouting
Jessica Pegula, a prominent American player, shared that someone on the tennis tour has been using ChatGPT to study opponents, though she chose not to name that person. Pegula explained that the information provided by the AI isn’t necessarily trusted completely but is sometimes used for cross-checking accuracy. She described the results as either simplified or detailed, but always clear and to the point, which made the information usable for quick assessments.
Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 US Open champion, also found herself relying on ChatGPT when facing a player on the ITF circuit who had few online videos or public footage. She asked the AI to scout some background information and was satisfied with the response. Andreescu noted that AI can help players in lower-level competitions where traditional scouting options are limited, offering a quick and accessible alternative for gathering insights.
Despite some players’ positive experiences, not everyone is convinced. Zizou Bergs, Belgium’s top-ranked male tennis player, expressed strong doubts about the effectiveness of AI in scouting. He described how a few years ago someone showed him the results of a ChatGPT scouting report and was instantly dismissive, calling the information completely useless. Daniil Medvedev shared a similar perspective, joking about AI’s role as an armchair coach. While the AI might provide some observations about challenging opponents like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, Medvedev pointed out that it doesn’t offer actionable advice on how to actually execute those strategies in a real match.
AI beyond the court
Beyond the court, many players have found AI to be a useful tool for answering personal questions. Emma Raducanu, for example, uses ChatGPT for a wide range of topics — from history and art to random facts and translations. She said her queries are as unpredictable as her thoughts, shifting from one subject to the next depending on what interests her at the time. However, not all players are as eager to embrace the technology.
Frances Tiafoe has chosen to remain offline when it comes to AI. He refuses to use ChatGPT or other similar platforms, relying instead on traditional Google searches. He says he’s going against the trend, admitting that he hasn’t used much AI-generated content and prefers to stick with methods he’s comfortable with. Jelena Ostapenko, a 2017 French Open champion, also approaches AI with caution. She recalled a story where someone trusted ChatGPT about visa requirements for a country and ended up stranded at the airport. Based on that experience, she remains skeptical, noting that while she does use ChatGPT occasionally, she still believes in verifying information herself.
Coco Gauff, a rising star in women’s tennis, decided to test AI by asking it what the best strategy for beating herself would be. The response, she explained, wasn’t particularly enlightening — it just confirmed what everyone already knew: hit to her forehand and try to force a double fault. After sharing this experience, she rolled her eyes in a humorous reaction, highlighting the limitations of what AI can offer.
Ostapenko, while more open to using AI than Tiafoe, still maintains a degree of wariness. She admitted that she only turns to ChatGPT when she’s too lazy to search for information herself. However, she doesn’t see the value in paying for the Plus version, which costs €20, and has chosen to avoid the extra expense.