World Pickleball League Partners with Hawk-Eye: The World Pickleball League (WPBL) has partnered with Hawk-Eye to enhance decision-making in the league. This collaboration marks the first time Hawk-Eye technology is being used in pickleball, ensuring fair and precise line calls for players in India’s fastest-growing sport.
Introduction of Hawk-Eye Technology
Hawk-Eye, known for its impact on sports like football, tennis, badminton, and cricket, is now redefining pickleball. The WPBL will utilize this technology to reduce human errors during matches. Each team will have two challenges per tie, with successful challenges retained. Linesmen will also officiate every match, creating a level playing field for all competitors.
Quotes from Leaders in the Industry
Gaurav Natekar, CEO and Co-Founder of the WPBL, expressed gratitude for the partnership.
“We are grateful to Hawk-Eye for choosing to partner with the World Pickleball League, marking a historic first for the sport. Their cutting-edge technology is set to transform the Pickleball experience,” -(Gaurav Natekar)
Segolene Stephenson, Head of Commercial, Growth Sports at Hawk-Eye Innovations, shared their commitment to sports innovation.
“At Hawk-Eye Innovations, we are committed to revolutionising sports… we are honoured to work together with the league to enhance the accuracy and fairness of officiating,” -(Segolene Stephenson)
Match Format and Structure
The WPBL, conceptualized by former Indian tennis players Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponnappa Natekar, introduces a timed match format. Each game lasts 15 minutes, and ties consist of five matches in different categories: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Players have only 10 seconds between points to ensure continuous action and eliminate time-wasting.
Hawk-Eye Innovations, owned by Sony Corp, specializes in tracking and officiating technologies. Its debut in pickleball through the WPBL signifies a major step forward for the sport, promising an engaging experience for players and fans alike.
This partnership between the WPBL and Hawk-Eye is expected to significantly impact the sport of pickleball in India, making matches fairer and more exciting. As technology continues to shape sports, the WPBL is setting a new standard for accuracy in officiating, potentially inspiring other leagues to follow suit.
News in Brief: World Pickleball League Partners with Hawk-Eye
The WPBL’s partnership with Hawk-Eye introduces advanced officiating technology to pickleball. This historic collaboration aims to ensure fair play and enhance the game experience for players and fans, setting a new standard in India’s rapidly growing pickleball scene.
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