ATP World Tour 2023

"Everything you need to know about the 2023 ATP Tour, in just one map."

What it is about

The aim of our project is to produce a revealing world map presenting information on the top 10 male tennis players along with the tournaments' locations, throughout the 2023 season. We focused on gathering a diverse, yet concise data set, covering players' rankings, their most relevant statistics, highlights during 2023 season and personal data. Furthermore, this map allows for data-driven comparisons, highlights the distribution and density of the various official tournaments, and provides valuable insight into the scarcity of tennis in some parts of the world. Our ultimate goal is to inspire and deepen understanding of the sport for both eager fans and those just discovering its rich history, as well as bring attention to the problem of limited infrastructure and funding dedicated to the sport in regions like Africa.

How we built it

Firstly, we gathered all potentially relevant data from various sources, with the majority sourced from the official ATP website. This data underwent analysis and filtering in Microsoft Excel, before being turned into structured CSV files. Next, cartographic visualization was initiated in ArcGIS Pro software, where the appropriate projections were chosen and all tournament locations, and statistical data added to the map. Finally, both the maps and the information they contained were exported to Adobe Illustrator for the final design touches, including labelling, color selection, legend and other thematic map elements. With this, our project concluded, and the final version was prepared for exhibition and printing.

Challenges we ran into

Challenges arose when attempting to visualize the information on the map at the actual printing size. Besides that, adjustments to the thematic mapping technique were necessary to make the map both readable and cartographically correct. Additional time was spent on proper positioning the labels and adjusting the visual hierarchy for better legibility.

What we're proud of

We are very proud of our final visualization and the overall message our map is delivering. We think that all the relevant information about the ATP Tour 2023 was condensed in a visually appealing way without overwhelming the map user.

What we learned

We learned the importance of using the right mapping techniques as well as developed our skills in using professional GIS software. We also discovered that even after considering a product complete, evaluation techniques are essential to reach the final version. Hence, we assessed our map using user-based methods such as eye-tracking, focus groups, and think-out-loud studies. This step allowed us to accept our mistakes and further develop our project eliminating minor but significant imperfections.

What's next

Our project was designed to scale and adapt. While focusing on the men's tour, future plans may include the women's tour, seasonally updated versions, and creating an interactive web map for user exploration on their specific interests.
Students
Tatiana Pozdnyakova
Carlos Ignacio López Villanueva

13th intake
Supervisor
Juliane Cron, M.Sc.
Keywords
ATP, 2023, Tennis, Ranking, Tournaments, Winning countries, Grand Slams, Masters, Finals