August 22, 2025
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Tennis Broadcaster Patrick McEnroe and the IBM Sports Partnerships Team Join A Slice of Citadel
Watch the “Slice of Citadel” session with Patrick McEnroe and IBM Sports and Entertainment Partnerships team to uncover lessons on preparation, adaptability and how tradition and innovation blend on and off the court.
This conversation was part of Connect Conversations, a series that brings colleagues together with leaders from diverse fields to explore performance, innovation and what it takes to excel. At this “Slice of Citadel” session, tennis legend Patrick McEnroe joined IBM’s Sports and Entertainment Partnerships team for a wide-ranging discussion at the Citadel Conference Center.
Colleagues gathered with Honey Deuce-inspired mocktails and John’s of Bleecker Street’s signature “Sasso” pizza in hand, ready to hear from two organizations deeply connected to the US Open.
Patrick McEnroe, former pro player, ESPN broadcaster and president of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, opened with what makes the tournament unique. “It’s the buzz and electricity of New York,” he said. He explained why confidence outweighs rest heading into a major: “Tennis, at so many levels, is a game about your confidence.” Today’s players, he added, rely on teams of coaches, trainers and nutritionists to manage the demands of seven matches in unpredictable conditions.
The conversation shifted to the role of technology in shaping the sport. IBM has partnered with the US Open for decades, helping create new ways for fans to engage. Kameryn Stanhouse, IBM Vice President of Sports and Entertainment Partnerships, described the company’s year-round collaboration. “There’s always a nod to history and legacy in everything that we do, but we are still taking it to the next level,” she said.
Tyler Sidell, IBM Program Director for Technology, highlighted fan-focused innovations in this year’s app powered by IBM’s watsonX platform . Features included AI-generated match reports, real-time “likelihood-to-win” updates and interactive tools designed to make data easy to use. He added that part of the magic is giving fans the insights they care about in a format that helps bring the game to life.
McEnroe agreed that analytics help players study themselves and opponents, tracking patterns like serve placement on “pressure points,” but stressed that instinct remains central. “It’s still a game that you’re playing off instinct,” he said.
He also previewed the upcoming Hall of Fame induction of five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova and doubles greats Bob and Mike Bryan, calling it “the ultimate honor in tennis.”
The session ended on a high note, with McEnroe drawing the names of 10 colleagues, each winning two tickets to the US Open’s opening round.
