Wimbledon 2026 has once again confirmed Jannik Sinner’s dominance in world tennis. But while Italy’s number 1 rules the court, another competition is heating up in the tennis tech sector: the race for venture capital. Globally, startups are developing solutions based on AI, computer vision and real-time analytics for performance tracking and coaching.
The Italian Landscape
Italy, a land of sporting talent and technological excellence, is gradually establishing itself as a key player in the tennis tech sector. Although the Italian market is still in a consolidation phase compared to northern European giants, an interesting nucleus of founders and companies is emerging, developing innovative solutions for a sport with millions of practitioners.
Referi: Smart scorekeeping app for racket sports, controllable via Bluetooth buttons (ReTouch) that players can wear during a match. With every click, the app registers the point and a virtual referee announces the score, the change of ends and court position. Works for tennis, padel and table tennis. The model is scalable: clubs can equip a court for just a few hundred euros, transforming the amateur experience.
Wansport: 100% Made in Italy club management software for tennis clubs, market leader in Italy. A centralised platform managing court bookings, memberships, tournaments, lessons, access control and building automation. It allows clubs to optimise revenue, manage cash flows and offer members a digital-first experience. It represents the B2B infrastructure modernising traditional clubs.
Ace Cream (SPOAT): fantasy tennis app launched in 2025 between the Noi Techpark in Bolzano and I3P in Turin. Users build virtual squads during Grand Slams using booster strategies. Daily retention rate above 50%, partnership with the Carota Boys and an international expansion roadmap for 2026.
HyperTennis: spinoff of the Politecnico di Torino by Andrea Candusso (racquet technician to Jannik Sinner). Combines motion capture and AI to analyse technique and prevent injuries. Already installed at the Circolo della Stampa Sporting in Turin and collaborating with the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation.
TennisTalker: data platform bringing together community, content and services for competitive Italian tennis. Offers the Classifica Armonizzata, Supersimulata and mental coaching in partnership with Serenis. The only structured reference point for competitive tennis in Italy.
AMbelivable: Turin-based startup that has reinvented the tennis dampener through 3D-printed metamaterial structures. Its patented dampener weighs up to 70% less than traditional products and acts across the full vibration spectrum.
International Companies Not to Miss
Globally, the tennis tech sector is driven by companies pushing the boundaries of innovation in performance tracking, AI coaching and digital engagement. Here are some of the most interesting players:
Athleticae (Canada): Develops sports equipment through advanced engineering and metamaterials. Created AMbelievable, customisable 3D-printed vibration-dampening buttons for tennis rackets — lighter and higher-performing than existing products on the market. Athleticae operates across 14 countries and three continents and was selected by WeSportUp.
Zenniz (Finland): develops all-in-one smart tennis court systems combining electronic line calling (ITF Silver Level Certified), live video streaming, AI-powered performance analytics and gamified training tools. Positioned as infrastructure for the modernisation of racket sports, serving both competitive tournaments and recreational clubs.
Playtomic (Spain): online platform for booking sports courts, built to become the social network for sports players. While not strictly performance tech, it represents the access infrastructure for tennis that is transforming how people engage with the sport. With €132.3M in funding, it is the largest investment among all the startups featured, reflecting how access and community are valued in VC.
ServeSense (USA): Startup founded by three senior electrical and computer engineering students at Carnegie Mellon, which has developed a hardware-software system with a compact sensor embedded directly into a tennis racket to capture high-resolution swing data in real time. It represents the frontier of embedded AI in sports equipment for the consumer market.
SportAI (Norway): B2B AI video analysis platform for tennis and padel, founded in Oslo in 2023. Processes court camera footage to deliver real-time technical analysis, tactical statistics and biomechanical insights to players at all levels. Partners include MATCHi (1M+ users), Save My Play and Casper Ruud as an investor.
The Silent Revolution of Tennis
Tennis tech startups are showing us that technology can significantly improve how tennis is played, trained and experienced. Wimbledon 2026 may look the same as Wimbledon 20 years ago, but behind the scenes, a silent technological revolution is transforming the game we love.
