Imagine a tennis match where every swing and serve is meticulously analyzed, providing players with insights into their performance. This is the vision of Sense Arena, a pioneering virtual reality (VR) training company that has set its sights on revolutionizing tennis training. Originally from Prague, Czech Republic, Sense Arena has made a name for itself with VR platforms that simulate real-world conditions for sports like ice hockey and tennis, offering detailed metrics on player performance such as grip strength and ball speed.
After establishing its U.S. base in Boston, Sense Arena is now expanding its operations to Tampa, Florida, to further develop its tennis training solutions. CEO and founder Bob Tetiva highlighted the strategic choice, stating, “Florida was always on our radar, and Tampa’s connectivity to Europe and its vibrant business environment made it an ideal choice.” The proximity to St. Petersburg, the headquarters of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), also played a crucial role in this decision.
Sense Arena initially focused on ice hockey, collaborating with several NHL teams, top-tier college programs, and international youth organizations. Following the success of its hockey initiatives, the company turned its attention to tennis, a sport with significant followings in both the Czech Republic and the United States.
In March, Sense Arena is set to unveil its tennis division at the Embarc Collective in Tampa. This expansion is backed by a $3 million investment secured last year, with endorsements from tennis icon Martina Navratilova and professional players like Jennifer Brady and Jack Sock.
The company’s journey in VR technology began with the HTC Vive headset, but it has since transitioned to the Meta Quest 2, developed by Meta Platforms, adapting to the evolving landscape of VR technology during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Strategic Growth and Collaborations
With a team of over 50 employees, Sense Arena is strengthening its tennis division by appointing Yannick Yoshizawa as Vice President of Tennis. Yoshizawa, who previously served as a WTA tour supervisor, has been instrumental in forging a partnership with the University of South Florida’s Division 1 tennis teams.
“Coaches are always on the lookout for innovative training tools, and our technology caught their attention,” Yoshizawa explained. Discussions with USF began in 2022, leading to a one-year partnership that commenced this year.
Cristina Moros, Head Coach of USF Women’s Tennis, expressed her excitement about the collaboration, saying, “This tool is perfect for recovery days, allowing us to focus on mental training and cognitive aspects of the game.”
Currently, Sense Arena’s tennis platform emphasizes the player’s perspective during returns, with plans to expand its capabilities to include serving in the future. The platform boasts thousands of users, with 20 to 50 new licenses being acquired daily, primarily by educational institutions and tennis clubs.
Distribution and Future Outlook
Yoshizawa and Tetiva emphasized that the product is not available in physical retail stores but can be purchased online through Sense Arena’s e-shop. Customers can download the software, while the physical racket and accompanying technology are shipped from three distribution centers.
As Sense Arena continues to innovate and expand its reach, the company is poised to make a significant impact on the way tennis is trained and played, offering players and coaches a cutting-edge tool to enhance performance and strategy.