By Erik Gudris

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced on Monday that starting in 2014, it will allow the use of "Player Analysis Technology" during match play. The new rule was adopted at a recent ITF meeting in mid-July and will be known as Rule No. 31.
 
"Player Analysis Technology"  is defined as anything that collects, stores, transmits, analyses or communicates information on player performance. Any such information is still defined as coaching, which falls under Rule No. 30, and thus any data gathered would only be available to a player after a match ends.
 
In recent months, technology such as "smart" racquets that collect data on a player's shots and swing patterns have been introduced on the market though none have actually been used yet in a pro match. Some players, like Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Tim Smyczek, have worn Google Glass during training sessions, but only for demonstration purposes.
 
Stuart Miller, ITF Executive Director of Science & Technical, said “When the Rules of Tennis relating to equipment were written, no one foresaw the advent of Player Analysis Technology.  This new rule is necessary to ensure that all types of Player Analysis Technology are covered.”
 
For more information on the ITF's announcement, read here.