Roland-Garros relies on homemade software to find the best compromises in the programming of matches. Like the three other Grand Slam tournaments on the professional tennis circuit, the Parisian stage (which takes place until June 13) has long established who will play, where and when, in a very manual way, explain the tournament organizers in a statement. For several years, computer assistance was used. But the system was less elaborate than that developed two years ago by the DSI of the French Tennis Federation (FFT), in close collaboration with the referee Rémy Azémar, whose programming represents an important part of the tasks.
“For the previous edition, we used a prototype, in order to ensure that everything met expectations on the technical aspect while observing a flawless user experience. This year, it is the first time that it has been used in a sufficiently mature version to ensure the entire programming of the tournament, ”says Rani Azoula, project manager at the ISD. Desiderata of players, televisions and spectators to be satisfied, rest time to be respected, balance of the table… There are many criteria to be taken into account and the objective is to find the best compromise.
The software manages the mathematical side
The algorithm developed saves precious time on all the preparatory work for programming (number of matches, number of courts to use, rest time to be respected. ”We also have direct online access to media requests or the ticketing service data (nationality or spectator profile for example), which have an influence on the choice of courts. In short, the machine manages all the mathematical side. After that, the final decision remains with the human being “, explains the referee, who submits a draft to the representatives of the various bodies (ATP, WTA, Grand Slam supervisor, tournament management …) before the final decision.
Alternation and jet lag constraints
The tournament organizers give some concrete examples, including Roger Federer’s match scheduled for the night on Saturday 5 June (won by the Swiss before he forfeits the rest of the tournament). In this case, the choice of the schedule was imposed “according to the policy of alternation of the big names decided for these matches at night”. As for the meeting between the two Americans Jennifer Brady and Cori Gauff, it took place at the end of the day to take into account the time difference with the United States (major diffuser of the tournament and important player in the tennis market).
The IT department of the FFT intends to continue to improve the software. In particular by using artificial intelligence capabilities, history of assisting the referee even more effectively in the programming puzzle.
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