IBM and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) have introduced new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered digital features for the 2026 US Open across USOpen.org and the official US Open app. The tools use live match data, AI, computer vision and conversational AI to provide match analysis, personalised content and other information for fans.
The 2026 US Open runs from 23 August to 13 September, with the singles main draw beginning 30 August. According to IBM research, 46 per cent of surveyed sports fans across 12 countries said their expectations for digital sports experiences have increased over the past one to two years.
Modern tennis fans face a growing challenge: too much information. Fans following several players can find it difficult to keep up. IBM and the USTA are using AI to help sort through that volume of information, identifying key developments and providing context around them. The latest experience includes four AI-powered features: Live Updates, Serve Quality, Key Moments and an enhanced Match Chat experience. The system combines live data, historical information and editorial knowledge.
IBM said its partnership with the USTA is enhancing the digital fan experience at the US Open by using AI and real-time data processing. According to Jonathan Adashek, IBM’s Senior Vice President and Chief Global Affairs Officer, the company’s technologies can analyse millions of live data points from matches and turn them into actionable insights within minutes, helping deliver a more intelligent and data-driven experience for fans.
According to a Morning Consult survey sponsored by IBM in August 2026, tennis fans have high expectations regarding accuracy and reliability of sports technology. This survey shows that 91 per cent of tennis fans around the world utilise sports applications to obtain real-time data, while 64 per cent of them believe that AI-generated content is trustworthy when it comes to analysis and commentary on sports events. Demand for personalised digital experiences is particularly high in respect to younger audiences, with 77 per cent of millennials describing their confidence in AI-enhanced sports analytics.
The new Live Updates homepage is designed to help fans manage information overload. The tournament’s digital platforms already offer live scores, statistics, schedules, player profiles, highlights and news. The official US Open app, developed by IBM for the USTA, brings those features together, allowing fans to follow players, access match information and stay connected whether attending in person or watching remotely.
Tracking 21 body and racquet points 50 times per second allows the system to measure movement in far greater detail than a courtside observer could. Across 254 singles matches, those measurements add up to roughly 1.2 billion data points during the tournament.
The updated Match Chat feature allows fans to ask questions about matches in conversational language. IBM says watsonx Orchestrate powers Match Chat and uses AI agents and purpose-built models trained on the USTA’s editorial style and tennis-specific language.
IBM’s 2026 sports study surveyed 20,589 sports fans across 12 markets, including India, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Brazil. The study found that nearly half of surveyed fans were interested in a single consolidated sports app, though only about three in ten said they would pay for one.
Brian Ryerson, USTA’s Senior Director of Digital Strategy, claimed that the partnership with IBM has changed the way digital engagement with fans is realised. Ryerson notes that IBM’s AI technologies assist to deliver more personalised data to millions of fans across the globe, while making USTA’s task of telling the story much simpler.
