MDX data analysis students help top players and attend Wimbledon through unique placement with British tennis body

Three students on the MSc Sport Performance Analysis course have been on a placement with the LTA collecting and analysing data for major British players including Andy Murray

As Wimbledon 2024 reaches its conclusion this weekend, two Middlesex University Master students in Performance Analysis have been on a one-year placement with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) providing vital data for British tennis coaches and players to help them prepare against opponents and improve their game.

Ailidh McIntosh and Anant Agrawal, both MSc Sport Performance Analysis students at MDX, have enjoyed  unique studentship with the national governing body for British tennis as part of their course. Another student Zak Benstead is also on the studentship through the distance learning option.

Anant, originally from Ghaziabad in India, and who has a Sport Management degree, had the honour of providing data for the two-time Wimbledon champion and British tennis legend Andy Murray.

 “I was responsible for preparing reports on Andy's opponents, providing crucial data for one of the greatest tennis players of all time,” said Anant. “This experience was incredibly rewarding and a true testament to the trust and responsibility placed in me.”

Ailidh, from the village of Carmunnock outside Glasgow, said: “Being able to go to Wimbledon and watch the matches of players we’ve tagged and generated match reports for was a really cool experience. With the knowledge we’ve gained this year, I definitely watch tennis in a different way now. 

“As a whole, the year-long placement has been such an invaluable experience. The opportunity to have hands on experience alongside the MSc, whilst working in amazing facilities and knowing that we have been able to contribute and provide analysis for coaches and players at Grand Slam tournaments will be so memorable.”

The LTA and MDX have partnered on the performance analyst programme for three years. Each student learns how to use data collection software and develops their analysis abilities using tools such as Microsoft Excel and PowerBI.

They collect and analyse tournament-focused data tailored to individual player needs, directly contributing to the success of top British players. In addition, they can attend UK-based camps and tournaments to assist with video capture and feedback. Students also design and deliver unique performance analysis projects, which align with their Master’s dissertation work, support tournament efforts and game intelligence.

Anant said: “The LTA placement has proven to be the best placement experience I could have ever imagined. Coming in with no prior knowledge of tennis, it initially felt like a challenging journey. However, the immense support and guidance from fellow LTA analysts were instrumental in helping me learn the performance culture at LTA.

“The placement has taught me the fundamentals of data collection, starting with tagging, and progressing to creating reports and updating visuals on Power BI (a Microsoft data insight app). These visuals aid coaches in understanding opponents and player performance. Additionally, I worked on various projects that pushed my limits and fostered self-learning, including Python (high-level) programming for data collection, manipulation, and visualization.”

Ailidh said: “The performance analysis placement with the LTA has been extremely valuable and has given me skills and experiences that will significantly contribute to my professional and personal development. Working alongside the Performance team to develop insightful player and opponent analysis has been such an amazing opportunity and has equipped me with practical skills designed for a performance analysis role within elite sport.

“Becoming proficient in Dartfish (video analysis software) and being able to deliver tournament support with quick turnaround times to a high standard wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the team, but they have massively supported us the whole way through it and made it such an enjoyable experience. “

Dr Nimai Parmar, Director of Postgraduate Sport Programmes (Interim) and Associate Professor in Sport Performance Analysis, said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with the LTA on these studentships, offering our students unique opportunities to develop as performance analysts while supporting elite British tennis players.”

Toby West, Performance Analyst from the LTA (women’s program), said: “This immersive experience allows students to develop their technical and analytical skills by working with some of the top tennis players and coaches in Britain. Under the mentorship of experienced performance analysts, students will master the essentials of being a front-facing analyst across men's, women's, doubles, and wheelchair tennis. This placement provides a comprehensive learning experience, preparing students to excel as performance analysts in elite sports.”

Find out more about the MSc Sport Performance Analysis course at Middlesex University and the Distance Learning option – of which Zak is a student. The University is also running its Diversity Sport Performance Analysis Scholarship in partnership with the UK Sports Institute, Rugby Football Union, The Football Association, Red Zone, Lawn Tennis Association and England and Wales Cricket Board.