IBM and the USTA Roll Out AI-Powered Fan Experiences for 2025 US Open

Rhea-AI Summary

IBM (NYSE:IBM) and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) have unveiled new AI-powered digital experiences for the 2025 US Open tennis tournament. The centerpiece is 'Match Chat', an AI assistant using IBM watsonx Orchestrate that provides real-time answers during all 254 singles matches.

The enhanced IBM SlamTracker now features live Likelihood to Win probabilities, while the new 'Key Points' feature offers three-bullet summaries of articles and match analysis. A global survey revealed that 86% of tennis fans see value in AI-powered features.

The tournament runs from August 18 - September 7, 2025, with these features available on USOpen.org and the US Open mobile app.

Positive

• Partnership with USTA demonstrates IBM's AI technology leadership in sports
• High market demand confirmed with 86% of tennis fans valuing AI-powered features
• Expansion of digital offerings with multiple new AI-powered fan experiences

Negative

• None.

• 'Match Chat' AI assistant answers questions in real-time, during and after all 254 singles matches
• Enhanced IBM SlamTracker to offer live Likelihood to Win projections, while 'Key Points' instantly summarizes articles on USOpen.org and the US Open app
• New global IBM survey confirms demand for AI-powered fan experiences on the rise

ARMONK, N.Y., Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) today announced a new lineup of AI-powered digital experiences coming to USOpen.org and the US Open app for this year's tournament. Co-created by IBM and the USTA, the features are designed to deliver millions of tennis fans worldwide more of the customized, nonstop coverage they crave throughout the two-week Grand Slam.

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: 

https://www.multivu.com/ibm/92400510-en-ibm-usta-ai-fan-experiences-2025-us-open

Serving first is Match Chat, an interactive AI assistant available during and after all 254 singles matches. Fans can engage the tool by selecting a pre-written prompt or typing their own question on topics such as player stats, head-to-head records, match insights and even player name pronunciations (e.g., 'who has converted more break points in the match?').

Built with IBM watsonx Orchestrate technologies – including AI agents and large language models (LLMs) such as IBM Granite – Match Chat is trained on the US Open editorial style and leverages real-time data to provide users with responses.

An enhanced version of IBM SlamTracker is back, now offering fans live Likelihood to Win probabilities for every singles match. The tool will update in near real-time with projected win percentages that can change throughout each match, based on AI-powered analysis of player statistics, expert opinion and match momentum. For post-match insights, AI Commentary will once again offer AI-generated audio and subtitles in English for highlight videos of men's and women's singles matches.

Rounding out this year's lineup is Key Points built with watsonx which creates three-bullet summaries of articles, tournament data and match analysis on the US Open app and website. By simply clicking a button at the top of the article page, fans will receive a "TL:DR" (Too Long; Didn't Read) recap of all the action they are looking to follow.

The new and enhanced capabilities come at a time when audience demand for more dynamic digital content is accelerating. According to a new global survey also out today from Morning Consult and commissioned by IBM, 86% of tennis fans surveyed worldwide see value in AI-powered features, with real-time insights and personalized highlights central to how they engage with sports.

"As fan engagement and content consumption habits evolve, IBM and the USTA are at the cutting edge – leveraging data and AI to create unique digital experiences that bring the excitement of the US Open to life for audiences around the world," said Jonathan Adashek, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications, IBM. "We're applying the same powerful technologies that we use with client partners across all industries to meet the demands of tennis fans, deepening the connection to the players and game we all love."

"Working with IBM, we developed a long-term technology roadmap that has transformed how we operate and connect with fans," said Brian Ryerson, Sr. Director of Digital Strategy at the USTA. "IBM took the time to understand our vision for the US Open, and together we identified the hybrid cloud and AI capabilities needed to bring it to life. Today, those efforts are paying off — delivering real-time insights that enrich the fan experience, while significantly improving the reliability, scalability, and efficiency of our digital platforms and behind-the scenes-operations." 

The full findings of IBM and Morning Consult's new survey can be found here.

The 2025 US Open runs from August 18 - September 7. Explore these IBM technologies and more by visiting USOpen.org and/or the US Open app available in the Apple and Android app stores on all mobile devices.

About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

About the USTA
The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level -- from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. A not-for-profit organization, it invests 100 percent of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, one of the highest-attended annual sporting events in the world, along with approximately 100 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S., and selects the teams for Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA's philanthropic entity, the USTA Foundation, provides grants and scholarships in addition to supporting tennis and education programs nationwide to benefit under-resourced youth through the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network. For more information about the USTA, go to USTA.com or follow the official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X) and TikTok.

IBM

Sarah Benchaita

sarah.benchaita@ibm.com

 

 

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ibm-and-the-usta-roll-out-ai-powered-fan-experiences-for-2025-us-open-302531491.html

SOURCE IBM

FAQ

What new AI features is IBM introducing at the 2025 US Open?

IBM is introducing Match Chat (an AI assistant for real-time match questions), enhanced SlamTracker with live win probabilities, and Key Points for article summaries, all powered by IBM watsonx technology.

How does IBM's Match Chat AI assistant work at the US Open 2025?

Match Chat uses IBM watsonx Orchestrate technologies and large language models to answer fan questions about player stats, head-to-head records, match insights, and player name pronunciations during and after all 254 singles matches.

When does the 2025 US Open tennis tournament start and end?

The 2025 US Open runs from August 18 to September 7, 2025.

Where can fans access IBM's new US Open AI features?

Fans can access the AI features on USOpen.org and the US Open mobile app, available in both Apple and Android app stores.

What percentage of tennis fans value AI-powered features according to IBM's survey?

According to IBM's global survey conducted by Morning Consult, 86% of tennis fans worldwide see value in AI-powered features.