Maria Sharapova: The Tennis Legend and the Queen of Dice
- Dan Maia
- 17 de nov.
- 2 min de leitura
Published by Metrics Digital – Digital Analytics Specialists.
Maria Sharapova: The Tennis Legend and the Queen of Dice
Maria Sharapova: The Tennis Legend and the Queen of Dice
Tennis legend and businesswoman Maria Sharapova took to the stage at Web Summit 2025 for the session " Smarter plays: How AI is changing the game ," where she discussed how Artificial Intelligence and data analytics are transforming high-performance sports and how this data-driven mindset has shaped her own career .
The main highlights of her presentation, focusing on the intersection between data, AI, and Sharapova's career, were:
1. The Golden Quote: Data as Enhanced Instinct
The central point of his speech, which was widely quoted, summarizes the new mentality of the sport:
“The more data you have, the smarter you become and the better your instincts are.”
Sharapova highlighted that, while instinct and experience are crucial, the quantity and quality of data available today allow athletes and their teams to make smarter and faster decisions. AI doesn't replace instinct, but enhances it, transforming intuition into evidence-based decision-making.
2. The Generation Gap: Instinct vs. AI Insights
One point of resonance was the comparison between his generation and current athletes. It was mentioned that, in his time, an 80% win rate was achieved primarily through instinct and intense training.
Today, players use AI-generated insights to optimize every aspect of their game, from opponent analysis to physical recovery 5.
• Opponent Analysis: AI allows you to dissect your opponent's game at a level of detail never seen before, identifying patterns, weaknesses, and tendencies that the human eye might miss.
• Performance Optimization: Biometric, sleep, and training data are processed by algorithms to create highly personalized training and recovery regimens, ensuring that the athlete is always at their peak performance.
3. The Transformation of Sport as a Business
The discussion with Sarah Meron (IBM) and Jessica Sibley (TIME) also touched on how AI is transforming sports beyond the court, focusing on the $680 billion industry.
• Fan Experience: AI is being used to create richer and more personalized fan experiences, from how global communities are built to optimizing team operations.
• Operations and Precision: Technology is making sports more personal, precise, and powerful, optimizing team operations and athlete performance from the inside out.
In summary, Maria Sharapova: The Tennis Legend and the Queen of Data, emphasized that the acceptance of AI in tennis is fundamental and that the data age has transformed the game from an instinct-based art into an insight-enhanced science.