THE FRENCH TENNIS FEDERATION (FFT) has renewed its long-standing partnership with American IT company IBM for a further four years.
IBM powers the national tennis body’s official website and provides real-time stats during the federation’s showpiece event, the French Open at Roland Garros.
The computer products and services firm will continue to provide match analytics, such as service speed and direction data for the tournament, which it has done since 2012.
IBM’s sponsorship of the French Open began in 1985, the success of which has led to future partnerships with each of the other three grand slam tournaments.
“The partnership, which we have had with Roland Garros for 28 years, is a great opportunity to create value and innovation,” said Alain Bénichou, president of IBM France.
“Bringing new technologies continuously to this world famous tournament to optimise the experience for tennis fans during the fortnight is a very exciting challenge.”
IBM remains the only company to be an Official Partner of all four grand slam tennis events.
By Robin Jellis
Follow Robin on Twitter: @robinjellis