Artificial Intelligence in Tennis. A Social Perspective

Introduction: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly influencing professional sports, including tennis, by supporting technical analysis, training optimization, and decision-making processes. Understanding how different groups perceive AI in the sports context is essential for its effective i...

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Main Authors: Marian-Petre PRĂJESCU, Beatrice Aurelia ABALAȘEI
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cluj University Press 2025-07-01
Series:Studia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai: Educatio Artis Gymnasticae
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Online Access:https://studia.reviste.ubbcluj.ro/index.php/subbeducatio/article/view/9476
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author Marian-Petre PRĂJESCU
Beatrice Aurelia ABALAȘEI
author_facet Marian-Petre PRĂJESCU
Beatrice Aurelia ABALAȘEI
author_sort Marian-Petre PRĂJESCU
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly influencing professional sports, including tennis, by supporting technical analysis, training optimization, and decision-making processes. Understanding how different groups perceive AI in the sports context is essential for its effective integration. Objective: The study aims to explore and compare the social representations of artificial intelligence in tennis among athletes and non-athletes. Methods: The research employed the word association technique (Vergès, 2001) and the social representation indicator (Havârneanu, 2001). The sample included 60 participants, divided equally into two groups: 30 athletes and 30 non-athletes. The analysis focused on the frequency and order of appearance of words associated with AI in a sports context. Results: Distinct differences emerged between the two groups. Athletes primarily associated AI with advanced technology that enhances performance and efficiency, while aspects such as injury prevention or ethical concerns were less prominent. Non-athletes emphasized “equipment and infrastructure,” reflecting a more concrete and device-oriented perception of AI in sports. Conclusions: The study highlights divergent perceptions of AI between athletes and non-athletes, which may influence how AI-based technologies are accepted and implemented in tennis. Understanding these differences is crucial for tailoring AI applications to meet the expectations and needs of various stakeholders in sports. Article history: Received 2025 May 30; Revised 2025 July 15; Accepted 2025 July 17; Available online 2025 July 30; Available print 2025 August 30
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spelling doaj-art-f36436d8858e44c8a8c769344c163e9c2025-08-20T03:36:01ZengCluj University PressStudia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai: Educatio Artis Gymnasticae1453-42232065-95472025-07-0170210.24193/subbeag.70(2).16Artificial Intelligence in Tennis. A Social PerspectiveMarian-Petre PRĂJESCU0Beatrice Aurelia ABALAȘEI1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5464-7323Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Iași, Romania. *Corresponding author: marian.prajescu2402@gmail.comFaculty of Physical Education and Sport, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Iași, Romania Introduction: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly influencing professional sports, including tennis, by supporting technical analysis, training optimization, and decision-making processes. Understanding how different groups perceive AI in the sports context is essential for its effective integration. Objective: The study aims to explore and compare the social representations of artificial intelligence in tennis among athletes and non-athletes. Methods: The research employed the word association technique (Vergès, 2001) and the social representation indicator (Havârneanu, 2001). The sample included 60 participants, divided equally into two groups: 30 athletes and 30 non-athletes. The analysis focused on the frequency and order of appearance of words associated with AI in a sports context. Results: Distinct differences emerged between the two groups. Athletes primarily associated AI with advanced technology that enhances performance and efficiency, while aspects such as injury prevention or ethical concerns were less prominent. Non-athletes emphasized “equipment and infrastructure,” reflecting a more concrete and device-oriented perception of AI in sports. Conclusions: The study highlights divergent perceptions of AI between athletes and non-athletes, which may influence how AI-based technologies are accepted and implemented in tennis. Understanding these differences is crucial for tailoring AI applications to meet the expectations and needs of various stakeholders in sports. Article history: Received 2025 May 30; Revised 2025 July 15; Accepted 2025 July 17; Available online 2025 July 30; Available print 2025 August 30 https://studia.reviste.ubbcluj.ro/index.php/subbeducatio/article/view/9476artificial intelligencetennissocial representation
spellingShingle Marian-Petre PRĂJESCU
Beatrice Aurelia ABALAȘEI
Artificial Intelligence in Tennis. A Social Perspective
Studia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai: Educatio Artis Gymnasticae
artificial intelligence
tennis
social representation
title Artificial Intelligence in Tennis. A Social Perspective
title_full Artificial Intelligence in Tennis. A Social Perspective
title_fullStr Artificial Intelligence in Tennis. A Social Perspective
title_full_unstemmed Artificial Intelligence in Tennis. A Social Perspective
title_short Artificial Intelligence in Tennis. A Social Perspective
title_sort artificial intelligence in tennis a social perspective
topic artificial intelligence
tennis
social representation
url https://studia.reviste.ubbcluj.ro/index.php/subbeducatio/article/view/9476
work_keys_str_mv AT marianpetreprajescu artificialintelligenceintennisasocialperspective
AT beatriceaureliaabalasei artificialintelligenceintennisasocialperspective