BackHand Stats is rapidly gaining attention in the sports community, offering unique capabilities in tennis analytics and comprehensive athlete support. Liga.Tennis interviewed the company’s director, Ilhan Karadeniz, to learn what drives him in developing the project, why he chose tennis, and how the platform could transform sports approaches in the future.
Ilhan, tell us a little about yourself and your journey into the world of tennis.
– I grew up in Belek, Turkey, where my father managed a resort with four tennis courts. Tennis surrounded me from an early age — I played, helped organize tournaments, and saw how training environments are created. This atmosphere inspired me to create BackHand Stats. I wanted to introduce technologies that would help players better understand their strengths and take a strategic approach to training.
BackHand Stats was envisioned as an international platform but began developing actively in the CIS countries. What influenced this focus, and how has it impacted your company’s strategy?
– While our project was indeed created with a global reach in mind, the CIS region became our natural starting point. Here, we saw a significant interest in tennis and a demand for quality sports analytics, particularly for juniors and young professionals. Many athletes from the CIS, despite their talent and dedication, lacked access to advanced analytical tools, and we aimed to fill this gap. However, BackHand Stats remains an international platform — we already operate in 12 countries and offer the interface in several languages, so tennis players worldwide can use our tools effectively.
From a technical perspective, how does the match analysis process work on the platform?
– The process begins with collecting detailed information on the game, including shots, errors, physical metrics, and tactical aspects. This data is fed into our system and processed by AI to detect patterns and provide insights. During training, we can adjust processes on the fly based on the analysis. After each match, players and their coaches receive an analytical report with charts, graphs, and recommendations. This approach enables coaches and athletes to see not just the results but the underlying factors behind every win or loss.
You mentioned being able to make real-time adjustments. Suppose it’s a training match, and the coach instructs the player to play forehands to the baseline until the end of the set. Do you use earpieces for this?
– No, we don’t use earpieces because we want the player to remain focused without distractions, even in practice matches. It’s essential for athletes to develop concentration and mental resilience. Tactical instructions are typically given before the match, and minor adjustments can be communicated by the statistician during side changes. We only intervene during play in exceptional cases, such as when a player deviates from the intended strategy or exceeds the allowable workload, which could affect the training schedule.
Every platform needs ambassadors and prominent representatives. Who is the most famous tennis player currently working with you?
– Our most well-known athlete is Daniil Ostapenkov from Belarus. His victory over the world’s 15th-ranked player, Diego Schwartzman, in the Davis Cup drew attention and made him a tennis star. Daniil is our ambassador, actively using BackHand Stats for his training and helping us promote the platform.
What is the main benefit of BackHand Stats for children and their parents?
– Our project supports talented young athletes who need quality guidance and analytics but may lack financial resources. We offer grants and scholarships that cover training, education, and tournament expenses. Parents can see objective statistics, which helps them understand their child’s progress. We create conditions for children to grow, see real results, and strive for success.
BackHand Stats combines technology and analytics — but how is the business structured? How does the project remain financially sustainable?
– Our financial model is multi-faceted, enabling us to grow sustainably. The main source of income is subscription fees and paid analytical services. We offer various subscription levels, from basic to professional, which include advanced analytics, personalized recommendations, and complete support with full platform access. Additionally, we earn revenue through partnerships with federations and tennis academies that use our tools for planning and training oversight. Further income comes from agency agreements with promising players, where we receive a percentage of prize money and sponsorship income from tournaments we support them in.
BackHand Stats has big ambitions and high technological potential. In which direction do you plan to develop, and what is the platform’s future?
– We envision BackHand Stats as the leading platform for tennis sports analytics on the global market. Our short-term goal is to strengthen our presence in Europe and expand to North America. Technologically, we continue refining AI analytics to provide real-time tactical recommendations and personalized player plans. We’re also working on integrating new sports devices for more accurate physical metrics monitoring. Currently, we’re finalizing our own tools for health monitoring — mobile sensors that allow quick, convenient use of our technologies on any court. Another area of focus is developing a social environment within the platform, where users can communicate, share experiences, and build a BackHand Stats community.
How can someone become a client or partner?
– We are always open to collaborations and new partnerships. You can contact us via the form on our website or by sending a request to admin@backhandstats.com. Send us your resume or a brief project description, and perhaps you’ll start your journey in tennis with us.
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