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Wimbledon Winner Andy Murray Embraces Virtual Reality

posted in: Tech Trends, VR Tech

 

In this article for UploadVR I reflect on how my own experience of going to Wimbledon compares to the one crafted by the tournament in Virtual Reality.

Everyone should be able to feel the magic atmosphere of Wimbledon at least once. Virtual Reality is all about allowing us to access experiences we wouldn’t normally be able to, such as standing in the middle of Centre Court at match point.

Many of the world’s top tennis players say Wimbledon is their favorite tournament, but ask them why they love the quaint, often-rainy All England Lawn Tennis Club so much, and the answer is rather vague: Atmosphere.

Virtual Reality is all about allowing us to experience something we wouldn't be able to otherwise, like standing on Centre Court at match point Click To Tweet

There are other grass tournaments, and other Grand Slams, but there’s definitely only one Wimbledon. And to understand what that’s all about… you sort of have to be there.

So one of the first things I did when I moved to London was join the mile-long queue for general admission tickets early one morning. After paying well over the odds for some strawberries and cream and watching a few doubles and junior matches, I then snagged a £5 resale ticket for Center Court, where (at the risk of giving away my age) I watched Tim Henman play, and win.

Many of the world’s top tennis players say Wimbledon is their favorite tournament, but ask them why they love the quaint, often-rainy All England Lawn Tennis Club so much, and the answer is rather vague: Atmosphere Click To Tweet
Having been to the real place, I was impressed by how well it was replicated in VR Click To Tweet

That’s why, when I put on my Google Cardboard to watch the #FeelWimbledon Virtual Reality experience, I immediately understand what Andy Murray means when he talks about the awesome pressure and palpable silence in Center Court.

The 4D cinematic experience lasts a couple of minutes and was created using 125 motion sensors. It begins by whizzing you through the eerily empty Wimbledon grounds and lingering around some rather nice cars (it is sponsored by Jaguar after all). You enjoy a God-like view as the place comes alive with people (over 14,000 characters were generated for this) and the roar of the virtual crowd starts to build up. Eventually, you find yourself in Center Court looking at an avatar of Murray suspended in the air mid-serve.

There are other grass tournaments, and other Grand Slams, but there’s definitely only one Wimbledon. And to understand what that’s all about… you sort of have to be there Click To Tweet

Murray knows the exquisite pressure of that environment more than most, being the first British player to win the Wimbledon title in over 70 years back in 2013. So he’s well used to carrying the weight of an entire country’s expectations on his shoulders, and that lends authenticity and genuine feeling to his narration.

Having been to the real place, I was also impressed by how well it was replicated in VR, culminating with the viewer being neatly placed in Andy Murray’s tennis shoes as he finally swings the racket, and the court explodes in a roaring cheer.

The best uses of VR tend to be ones that offer users the ability to experience something they wouldn’t ordinarily be able to do, so this certainly ticks that box.  Even if you have been to Wimbledon, it’s unlikely that the officials would have allowed to traipse around Centre Court, much less experience it when it’s packed full of tense spectators. And for those who haven’t been there at all, the VR experience offers a bit of a taster of what that Wimbledon vibe” is all about.

Andy Murray is a VR enthusiast himself, recently investing in several start-ups through crowdfunding firm Seedrs, where he’s a stakeholder. One of these, Trillenium, builds 3D Virtual Reality shops, and he says the growth of virtual reality, and specially its use in sport, is something that fascinates him:

“I never thought I’d have my own VR experience,” said Murray. “There’s no greater feeling than walking out onto Center Court. It’s hosted so many incredible matches, the greatest champions ever, and the atmosphere is truly one of a kind. This special experience is reserved for very few players and supporters, so it’s amazing that Jaguar’s VR experience can bring people closer to the unique feeling of tennis’ most famous court.”

Andy Murray VR FeelWimbledon Winning Point Centre Court 1a

20,000 Google Cardboards were distributed to commuters and tennis fans to encourage them to try the experience, which can be download at the Feel Wimbledon Website (or if you’re on this side of the pond they have a rather impressive booth at Waterloo Station too).

Originally published on UploadVR

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Alice Bonasio is a VR Consultant and Tech Trends’ Editor in Chief. She also regularly writes for Fast Company, Ars Technica, Quartz, Wired and others. Connect with her on LinkedIn and follow @alicebonasio and @techtrends_tech on Twitter.