Dubai: We have seen sensors on wearable devices to monitor heartbeat, pulse and BP but now sensors are used to improve the technics that helps players capture and analyse their performance on the court.
The Zepp Tennis sensor, a small yellow cube, that has to be fixed at the end of the racquet handle by a yellow rubber Flex Mount or plastic Pro Mount to monitor the player and capture real-time information. The device weighs only 6.3 grams and with the flex mount, it weighs 12.2 grams.
First, the Zepp mobile app has to be downloaded from the Apple or Google play store. It is compatible with iOS 7 and above, iPhone 4S and above, second generation iPad and above, and Android OS 4.1 and above.
The device may be high-tech but setting up the device is simple. The device connects with the racquet via Bluetooth.
To test this device, I not only had to borrow the tennis racquet from my friend but also enter the court to polish my old skills. I am not giving tips on how to improve the game but only the pros and cons of the device.
Secondly, the device has to be calibrated with the app. After that the device can track your serve, backhand, forehand, smash, power, spin and the total time on the court and the active time.
Getting the mounting sleeve onto my racquet took some time and needs patience.
The device is not meant for players like me it is for the amateurs who are keen to become a professional and cut down on unforced errors with some coaching tips.
The device tracks the game and that can be seen on the mobile phone. It shows what you are good at and which areas you need to concentrate on to improve the game. Players can compare and share the data with others.
The sensor works in two modes — Play Tracking and 3D Serve. The serve can be captured in 3D from eight different angles and can be replayed. It captures the racquet speed and the potential ball speed.
It is the coolest feature and the most valuable on this device. I hold the racquet at the very bottom of the handle and I can feel the attachment at the end of my grip. It is a matter of time and once I got acclimated it really wasn’t that bothersome.
In the Play Tracking mode, the results can be shown on the mobile device in pie chart which shows how many forehands, backhands, and serves I played at that session. At the bottom of the screen, it shows total swings, total time played and the active time.
After half an hourlong session I measured my data. It said that I hit 146 shots, with 64 per cent forehand, 28 per cent backhand and 8 per cent serve and I was active for 15 minutes. The pie chart showed that 6 per cent of backhands had topspin, 10 per cent slice and 84 per cent were flat.
Apart from these, Zepp has created many videos where Canadian professional tennis player Milos Raonic and US coach Lance Johnson give tips for the grip, serve, consistency, power, intensity and step-by-step tutorials. It is worth it.
The “flex mount” over the handle is better as the Pro mount is mounted by a sticker and that flew from my racquet with the sensor after some time.
The app cannot tell the difference between a winner and a loser. It does not give volley stats.
The device is charged via USB and runs for around eight hours. It is priced at Dh599.
Pros
Sensor is well built
Good battery life
Water and sweat resistant
Excellent app and features
Value for money
Cons
Turning on/off is not easy
LED is difficult to see in bright sunlight
Sensor needs calibration before every session
Pro Mount is not idle
No volley stats
