ProTracker Tennis

Very impressed with this iPad/iPhone app and its "sister" PC app (which I think you'll need if you want a serious reporting/distribution capability). Yes, the two apps are pricey, but they have been obviously carefully thought through and everyone is amazed at how much quality data (and analysis) I can accumulate in a given match. And since most of the matches I'm covering are doubles, this pretty much eliminates the competition. Again, this program overcomes most of the complexity of catching all the important elements of a doubles match and attributing appropriate characteristics to teams and individuals as appropriate - again, very well thought out. Although fairly intuitive, this app will require a little bit of a learning curve, and some practice to keep up with the play and gather accurate data, but it gives you as much help as it can. After a little time practicing on, say, some televised matches, and then a few practice "live" matches to get the flow, you'll be busy but you can collect the data fairly comfortably. Finally, Eric (the developer) is very responsive and very helpful in answering questions. He will clearly not leave you high and dry if you're having a problem or needing a question answered. Kudo's!

Only mobile app I found that allows you to record location of shots. Works well and gets the job done. Expensive compared to other apps, but it only amounts to the cost of a single tennis lesson, which seems fair given the value of the data this app can gather. A few minor quips. Could improve on workflow when matches get screwed up (e.g. Serving from wrong side of court after sets, scoring mistakes). Feel like I am fighting with the app once things go awry with the match and usually give up once this happens. Can't seem to edit match data once it is started (e.g. Player names, tournament info, court surface). Comments display strangely in momentum chart. Hard to read them once a few are entered. Graphics in app could be improved.

I have been charting tennis matches for years and can honestly say this is the best product I've ever seen (and used) for charting matches. It is perfect for tennis parents because it takes the subjectivity (and much of the stress) out of watching your child play. It can be easily emailed to their coach immediately afterward for analysis. Once you gather enough data, it is great to access opponents' strengths and weaknesses for future reference. Coaches would bebefit as well because they can analyze a student's performance without necessarily having to be at every one of their student's matches. Finally, the players themselves benefit because they can see (in black & white) their performance without all the drama/emotion. I've used the windows mobile version of this product for the past few years and it was a hassle having a separate piece of hardware to run this software. Now it is not only easier to use (touch screen vs stylus pen), but more importantly, it is only fifty bucks! That's cheaper than a one hour tennis lesson and the benefits are far greater. There are cheaper apps out there, but you'll be much much happier with this one. Try the lite version...it's a free demo.