Innovation is once again a defining feature at this year’s United Cup, with three pioneering technologies transforming the way tennis is played, analysed and experienced across Perth and Sydney.
The introduction of more tactical timeouts in mixed doubles, the return of Bolt 6 cloud-based electronic line calling, and the debut of world-first LED net posts that light up on out-calls elevate team strategy, broadcast insight and the in-stadium experience for fans.
“Innovation is at the core of everything we do at the United Cup and this is another example of leading the way and finding new ways to present the sport and engage our fans,” United Cup Tournament Director Stephen Farrow said.
LED net posts
For the first time anywhere in the world of tennis, the United Cup has introduced LED-integrated net posts that react to play.
When Bolt 6 determines that a ball has landed out, the net posts will light up red instantly.
Lighting effects are also synchronised with timeouts, walk-ons, big points and celebrations.
This innovation enhances clarity for fans, elevates the energy inside each arena, and further integrates officiating with match presentation. The court is activated in a new way to tell the story of play, with crowds involved in real-time decisions.
Expanded mixed doubles timeout
United Cup again features its world-first mixed doubles timeout button, now with expanded flexibility for teams. In 2026, each team may call one 60-second timeout at any stage of the mixed doubles match, removing the previous restriction that it could only be taken on their own serve.
Timeouts are activated by pressing the large red buzzer housed in each Team Zone.
The arena responds instantly with a full digital lighting takeover, pulling fans into the moment.
Teams must gather in their Team Zone to confer; timeouts still cannot be called between first and second serves.
Play resumes with a 25-second shot clock displayed in-stadium.
“Timeouts give teams a powerful, strategic moment to regroup and potentially turn the match in their favour,” Farrow said.
“This increased flexibility brings even more excitement to mixed doubles.”
Return of Bolt 6
The United Cup continues to use Bolt 6, a cloud-based optical tracking system to deliver electronic line calling by using 12 cameras around the court to capture and predict movements and gather data.
Founded in 2021 to pioneer cloud-driven tracking, video replay and XR products, Bolt 6 is reshaping how sport and entertainment interact with data.
New Bolt 6-powered innovations include:
- ‘Live augmented reality‘: Player and ball tracking visualisations delivered in near real time, not just on replay, offering enhanced storytelling for broadcasters.
- ‘Skeletal tracking‘: AI reconstructs a player’s skeletal movement using 25+ points on the human skeleton for unprecedented biomechanical insight, creating a new frontier in technique analysis and the next generation of statistical metrics.
- ‘Coaches Box Analytics’: Team Zones feature real-time, data-rich dashboards highlighting the most influential performance variables while the match is in progress, directly informing coaching decisions.
