The SportsGrad Podcast

#227: How to be a Performance Analyst for Pro Tennis Players with Shane Liyanage

Feb 12, 2023
Shane Liyanage, founder of Data-Driven Sports Analytics, shares his intriguing journey from a law career to working with elite tennis players like Aryna Sabalenka. He discusses key tennis metrics, emphasizing the importance of shot sequences and tailored game plans. Shane details his unique analyst-coach collaboration and reveals how pressure points influence live coaching decisions. He also shares essential productivity habits and highlights the tools of the trade, including Python and VR applications, that aspiring analysts should master.
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INSIGHT

Career Change Through Credibility And Side-Work

  • Shane transitioned from law to analytics by following curiosity, upskilling, and working in reputable sports organisations.
  • Combining industry credibility with side projects enabled a full-time move into performance analytics.
INSIGHT

Long Rallies Are Analytical Outliers

  • Exceptional long rallies are outliers where instinct and survival dominate over planned tactics.
  • Analysts often exclude these marathon points from pattern-based datasets because they differ from typical rallies.
ADVICE

Prepare Opponent Scouting Early

  • Prepare scouting packages ahead by sourcing video and running dashboards for likely opponents.
  • Monitor the draw and produce reports so the team can pivot quickly once the actual opponent is confirmed.
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