Latest news with #TaylorFritz
NZ Herald
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
AI influencer Mia Zelu stuns Wimbledon with lifelike Instagram posts
The model, who bills herself as a 'digital storyteller' and 'AI influencer', captioned one picture: 'Still not over the event … but the party's a whole other game.' She asked her thousands of followers, who often leave compliments and answers in her comment section: 'Which Wimbledon match was your fave?' Another post portrayed the tennis influencer watching a match on what appeared to be Centre Court, where A-listers rub shoulders with royalty every summer. The AI-generated model presents a hyper-realistic front, coupled with human-like feelings and thoughts expressed in her captions. Photo / AI-generated Influencers have been more prominent in SW19's star-studded crowd in recent years, with glamorous tennis 'WAG' Morgan Riddle taking centre-stage this month. The partner of Taylor Fritz, the American professional, Riddle championed Wimbledon's sporty chic aesthetic with viral posts across her social media platforms from the courtside. The former model was profiled in Netflix's Break Point series in 2023, in which she became known for her 'tennis-core' chic. The New York Times later dubbed her 'the most famous woman in men's tennis'. Morgan Riddle, partner of Taylor Fritz, the American tennis pro, is a real person. Photo / Getty Images It seems Zelu, whose creator remains unknown, may be aiming to capitalise on the same trend with her picture-perfect, elegant outfits and flowing blonde hair. Despite disclosing the use of AI in her bio, the model was inundated with admirers who took to the platform commenting 'will you marry me' and 'you look stunning'. She even has a brunette 'sister' named Ana, who has amassed 266,000 followers on her own page. In one post, appearing to be at the French Open, Zelu's pictures on court were captioned, arguably misleadingly: 'Pure sunshine and good vibes! Soaking up every bit of this energy … Which photo is your favourite?' Generative AI in the entertainment industry It comes after Netflix said it had used the controversial technology in one of its TV shows for the first time. Ted Sarandos, the streaming giant's co-chief executive, said visual effects were created by generative AI, which produces videos and images based on human-inputted prompts, in one of its original series. It was used to create a scene of a building collapsing in The Eternaut, the Argentine science fiction show. Sarandos said the technology had allowed the show's production to finish the scenes at a lower cost and 10 times faster than if they had used traditional special effects tools. Generative AI could be useful for productions with smaller budgets in the long term, but remains controversial in the entertainment world, however. Politicians and creatives are fighting to protect artists' copyright amid concerns that AI will create content using others' work without their consent. Some of Britain's most prominent artists and musicians have demanded more protections in the last year. They include Kate Bush, Annie Lennox, Damon Albarn, Billy Ocean, The Clash, Cat Stevens and Hans Zimmer. AI-generated content might prove more difficult to police within the sphere of social media. Meta has introduced an opt-in label for the content, but there have long been fears that AI image tools could be used to create highly convincing 'deepfakes' and images or videos that could help spread disinformation or influence elections. While Zelu might not present an electoral threat, the fake model's plausible captions and hyper-realistic images may have fooled even the most tech-savvy Wimbledon fans.
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Rage against the machines: ignore the fury at Wimbledon, AI in sport works
We are all suckers for a good story. And there was certainly a cracking two‑parter at Wimbledon this year. First came the news that 300 line judges had been replaced by artificial intelligence robots. Then, a few days later, it turned out there were some embarrassing gremlins in the machine. Not since Roger Federer hung up his Wilson racket has there been a sweeter spot hit during the Wimbledon fortnight. First the new electronic line-judging system failed to spot that Sonay Kartal had whacked a ball long during her match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova – which led to the Russian losing a game she otherwise would have won. Although, ironically, it happened only because an official had accidentally switched the system off. Then a Taylor Fritz forehand was called out despite landing four feet inside the baseline. This time the system had been confused by a ballboy still being on court when the American began his serve. In truth, it was far less serious than in the Kartal one. But it didn't matter. The narrative was established. Technology was robbing us of our jobs, stealing our cherished traditions. And the twist? It also suggested that computers couldn't replace human judgment after all. Rather lost in all the outrage was the fact that Wimbledon was actually using a souped-up version of the same Hawk-Eye system that it has employed since 2007. And a couple of incidents, albeit embarrassing ones, should not make us ignore the broader reality. Technology is far better than the human eye. It makes far fewer errors. And it's not even close. Long ago, researchers estimated that line judges get around 8% of close calls wrong. But, if anything, players' judgments are far worse. When I asked IBM how often players got it right when they challenged a line call at Wimbledon last year, I expected it to be about 50/50. But of the 1,535 challenges across the men's and women's singles in 2024 just 380 – less than 25% – were overturned. In other words, when a player thought the ball was out and made a challenge, they were wrong three out of four times. And there is a wider point, which a Wimbledon official stressed to me about the use of technology in sport: sporting bodies are using it not only because players, by and large, want it, but because it protects the integrity of sport and officials too. Gone are the days when a decision went against supporters or gamblers and they shrugged their shoulders. Nowadays they abuse players and officials on social media and mutter about dark conspiracies. At the last Rugby World Cup, Wayne Barnes even spoke of receiving 'threats of sexual violence to my wife, threats of violence against my children – and you're like, is that really what sport is about?' He is far from alone. In such a fevered environment, anything that helps an official has to be a good thing. And even when referees do their best, they are unconsciously influenced by crowds. One study asked 40 qualified football referees to judge 47 incidents from a match between Liverpool and Leicester; half watched with crowd noise, the control group in silence. Those viewing the footage with crowd noise awarded significantly fewer fouls (15.5%) against Liverpool compared with those watching in silence. Another study in Norway found that successful teams were more likely to be given favourable penalty decisions. Psychologists call this influence conformity. And say what you like about machines, they are immune to that, too. Critics of technology in sport are often deeply resistant to change. They also demand perfection. But to quote Voltaire, perfect is the enemy of good. Instead, we should be asking, is the tech better and more accurate than what was in place before – and is there scope for further improvement? Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion Hawk-Eye is more accurate now than it was when it was introduced in 2007. It will continue to get better. And while there are plenty of critics of VAR, the way Fifa has used it at the World Cup and Club World Cup – with fewer delays and letting fans see the replays the officials watch – shows it can work. Let's hope the Premier League was taking notes. One thing is clear, though. More is to come. That's according to Matt Drew, who founded the integrity department at StatsPerform, a leading data and sports integrity provider. 'No system is 100% perfect, but they are demonstrably more accurate than relying purely on human decision-making,' he says. 'Sports believe that technology helps them get more decisions right and protects officials and players from abuse. The best ones – like in tennis and cricket – also balance it in a way that preserves the fan experience. And they are going to continue to use and refine it, so it becomes more accurate.' What might we see? Well, at the International Olympic Committee's artificial intelligence conference last year it showed a diver in real time, with a screen immediately telling a judge the height of his jump, the number of rotations in the air and how close his legs were to his torso as he spun. Each element of the dive was also split into sequences, with everything analysed in less than a tenth of a second. The idea was to give every judge a far better idea of the quality of the dive and be able to award a fairer score. Who would be against that? Meanwhile as the machines continue their rise, more traditions will inevitably slip away. From September, for instance, the NFL will replace its 'chain gang' of officials who walk on to the pitch to mark first downs with Hawk-Eye technology. In truth, I will miss them. But having someone guess where the ball should be placed feels far closer to the 18th century than the 21st. Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Rise of the machines: amid AI outrage, technology can be a force for good in sport
We are all suckers for a good story. And there was certainly a cracking two‑parter at Wimbledon this year. First came the news that 300 line judges had been replaced by artificial intelligence robots. Then, a few days later, it turned out there were some embarrassing gremlins in the machine. Not since Roger Federer hung up his Wilson racket has there been a sweeter spot hit during the Wimbledon fortnight. First the new electronic line-judging system failed to spot that Sonay Kartal had whacked a ball long during her match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova – which led to the Russian losing a game she otherwise would have won. Although, ironically, it happened only because an official had accidentally switched the system off. Then a Taylor Fritz forehand was called out despite landing four feet inside the baseline. This time the system had been confused by a ballboy still being on court when the American began his serve. In truth, it was far less serious than in the Kartal one. But it didn't matter. The narrative was established. Technology was robbing us of our jobs, stealing our cherished traditions. And the twist? It also suggested that computers couldn't replace human judgment after all. Rather lost in all the outrage was the fact that Wimbledon was actually using a souped-up version of the same Hawk-Eye system that it has employed since 2007. And a couple of incidents, albeit embarrassing ones, should not make us ignore the broader reality. Technology is far better than the human eye. It makes far fewer errors. And it's not even close. Long ago, researchers estimated that line judges get around 8% of close calls wrong. But, if anything, players' judgments are far worse. When I asked IBM how often players got it right when they challenged a line call at Wimbledon last year, I expected it to be about 50/50. But of the 1,535 challenges across the men's and women's singles in 2024 just 380 – less than 25% – were overturned. In other words, when a player thought the ball was out and made a challenge, they were wrong three out of four times. And there is a wider point, which a Wimbledon official stressed to me about the use of technology in sport: sporting bodies are using it not only because players, by and large, want it, but because it protects the integrity of sport and officials too. Gone are the days when a decision went against supporters or gamblers and they shrugged their shoulders. Nowadays they abuse players and officials on social media and mutter about dark conspiracies. At the last Rugby World Cup, Wayne Barnes even spoke of receiving 'threats of sexual violence to my wife, threats of violence against my children – and you're like, is that really what sport is about?' He is far from alone. In such a fevered environment, anything that helps an official has to be a good thing. And even when referees do their best, they are unconsciously influenced by crowds. One study asked 40 qualified football referees to judge 47 incidents from a match between Liverpool and Leicester; half watched with crowd noise, the control group in silence. Those viewing the footage with crowd noise awarded significantly fewer fouls (15.5%) against Liverpool compared with those watching in silence. Another study in Norway found that successful teams were more likely to be given favourable penalty decisions. Psychologists call this influence conformity. And say what you like about machines, they are immune to that, too. Critics of technology in sport are often deeply resistant to change. They also demand perfection. But to quote Voltaire, perfect is the enemy of good. Instead, we should be asking, is the tech better and more accurate than what was in place before – and is there scope for further improvement? Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion Hawk-Eye is more accurate now than it was when it was introduced in 2007. It will continue to get better. And while there are plenty of critics of VAR, the way Fifa has used it at the World Cup and Club World Cup – with fewer delays and letting fans see the replays the officials watch – shows it can work. Let's hope the Premier League was taking notes. One thing is clear, though. More is to come. That's according to Matt Drew, who founded the integrity department at StatsPerform, a leading data and sports integrity provider. 'No system is 100% perfect, but they are demonstrably more accurate than relying purely on human decision-making,' he says. 'Sports believe that technology helps them get more decisions right and protects officials and players from abuse. The best ones – like in tennis and cricket – also balance it in a way that preserves the fan experience. And they are going to continue to use and refine it, so it becomes more accurate.' What might we see? Well, at the International Olympic Committee's artificial intelligence conference last year it showed a diver in real time, with a screen immediately telling a judge the height of his jump, the number of rotations in the air and how close his legs were to his torso as he spun. Each element of the dive was also split into sequences, with everything analysed in less than a tenth of a second. The idea was to give every judge a far better idea of the quality of the dive and be able to award a fairer score. Who would be against that? Meanwhile as the machines continue their rise, more traditions will inevitably slip away. From September, for instance, the NFL will replace its 'chain gang' of officials who walk on to the pitch to mark first downs with Hawk-Eye technology. In truth, I will miss them. But having someone guess where the ball should be placed feels far closer to the 18th century than the 21st. Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Morgan Riddle Brings Polka Dot Trend in Alessandra Rich to Wimbledon
Taylor Fritz's girlfriend, Morgan Riddle, embraced the ongoing polka dot trend for the fourth day of The Championships, Wimbledon on Thursday in London. The social media influencer arrived at the event, wearing a coordinated look courtesy of designer Alessandra Rich. Riddle styled a set with a navy blue base fabric and white polka dots, echoing a classic pattern with a streamlined silhouette for Wimbledon's historic, formal atmosphere. The long-sleeve blouse of Riddle's sartorial statement featured slightly puffed shoulders with a plunging neckline adorned by a feminine bow. Beneath the bow on Riddle's blouse, a shimmering silver gem button could be glimpsed. More from WWD Roger Federer Shares His Wimbledon Prediction at Rolex Bond Street Flagship Cherry Beagles Is Empowering Women in Sports With the 400 Club American Express, Katie Boulter Team on Tennis-inspired Charm Collection Riddle's cropped blouse paired with her high-waisted skirt, which also featured the silver gem button motif to the side. The skirt include a slight slit and minimal fabric draping for added tension and juxtaposition. Riddle paired her look with white, pointed-toe kitten heels. She accessorized with a few rings and a pair of gold sunglasses with brown lenses. Polka dots are having a revival in 2025, appearing on runways and in street style alike. Brands such as Jacquemus, Acne Studios, Fendi, Isabel Marant, Moschino, Altuzarra, Brandon Maxwell, Carolina Herrera and Valentino have all embraced the pattern this year, featuring polka dots on everything from dresses and knitwear to statement coats and accessories. Since Riddle and Fritz began their relationship in early 2020, Riddle has become a major fixture at several of Frtiz's matches. Riddle was previously spotted in Fritz's player's box at the 2025 French Open last May, where she styled a similar look to Thursday's Wimbledon attire. She styled a sleeveless black-and-white polka dot dress with a vintage-inspired bustier element. The French Open also served as the site where WWD had the opportunity to chat with the influencer about the rise in tenniscore looks. 'Tenniscore is in,' Riddle told WWD in her profile from the 2024 French Open. The tenniscore trend saw a major moment of synergy in 2024, thanks in no small part to the film 'Challengers' starring Zendaya. Throughout her press tour, the actress styled several looks that spoke to the tenniscore trend, orchestrated by image architect Law Roach. For spectators at Wimbledon, however, business attire and more tailored, streamlined looks have been the sartorial order when watching matches in the stands. Cate Blanchett styled a suited look by Giorgio Armani with the Prince of Wales pattern on Tuesday, while Princess Beatrice of the British royal family wore a Sandro coordinated look for the tournament on Monday. View Gallery Launch Gallery: Wimbledon 2025 Celebrity Looks, Live Updates: Jessica Alba, Leslie Mann and More Photos Best of WWD A Look Back at Fourth of July Celebrations at the White House Princess Diana's Birthday Looks Through the Years: Her Sleek Black Jacques Azagury Dress, Vibrant Colors and More Lauren Sánchez's Fashion Evolution Through the Years: From Her Days as TV News Anchor to Today
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Andre Agassi Steals the Show During Carlos Alcaraz vs. Taylor Fritz Wimbledon Semifinal
Andre Agassi Steals the Show During Carlos Alcaraz vs. Taylor Fritz Wimbledon Semifinal originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz battled it out in a hard-hitting Wimbledon semifinal on Friday, it wasn't just the tennis that captured fans' attention; it was the voice behind the commentary. Advertisement Andre Agassi, the American tennis icon and former world No. 1, stole the show from the broadcast booth with sharp, insightful, and, at times, poetic analysis. Agassi, an eight-time Grand Slam champion, has largely stayed out of the spotlight in recent years. But lately, he's been making waves again, not with a racket, but with a microphone. His deep understanding of the sport, tactical breakdowns, and ability to read momentum swings in real time have made him a breakout star of the 2025 Wimbledon coverage on BBC Sport. While Alcaraz eventually edged out Fritz in four sets, much of the buzz surrounding the match was about Agassi's commentary. Even fans inside Centre Court, who couldn't hear the broadcast, were feeling the FOMO. Tennis correspondent Simon Cambers tweeted, 'Can't hear him as I am on court watching the match but seems like @AndreAgassi is killing it in commentary on @BBCSport, not surprisingly…' Advertisement Social media lit up with praise for Agassi. One user posted, 'Going from John McEnroe's commentary to Andre Agassi's commentary is such a genuinely wonderful experience that everyone should experience.' Another added, 'Andre Agassi best commentary to date!' One tennis fan posted, "Is it Andre Agassi who is commentating here? So knowledgeable, so technical." Another comment read, "Andre Agassi honestly has a career in audiobooks narration. Voice like butter, it's like yes Andre. You don't want to miss a second serve return, love-15, deep into the second set." His ability to explain Alcaraz's court positioning, Fritz's change of pace, and the subtle psychology of the match in real time had even casual fans glued to their screens. For a generation that watched Agassi dominate on the court, his seamless transition to the commentary box felt both nostalgic and refreshing. Advertisement Andre Agassi at the trophy presentation for the Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Jannik Sinner of Italy men's singles final match on day 15 at Roland Garros Stadium.© Susan Mullane-Imagn Images Agassi's style blends storytelling with strategy, and his adept insights often enable him to predict exactly what a player will do. He can walk you through a baseline exchange and explain why a drop shot isn't just clever, but necessary. It's the kind of commentary that brings tennis to life, not just what's happening, but why it's happening. As for the tournament itself, Alcaraz now advances to the Wimbledon men's final, where he'll face Jannik Sinner, who took down Novak Djokovic during Friday's other semifinal. With Alcaraz playing some of his best tennis and Sinner defeating Djokovic in straight sets, Sunday's final promises fireworks. But don't be surprised if some of the most viral moments from the championship weekend once again come from the commentary booth. Right now, Andre Agassi isn't just watching the game with us; he's redefining how we hear it. Advertisement Related: Aryna Sabalenka Was Pissed Off at Amanda Anisimova During Wimbledon Match Related: Novak Djokovic Makes Feelings Towards Roger Federer Clear After Wimbledon Win This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
