A Kent student is crunching the numbers this Wimbledon fortnight as part of the Lawn Tennis Association's quest to find the next generation of tennis stars.

Ellis Burden, from Bromley, is undertaking a prestigious industry-funded studentship with the LTA as they aspire to be at the forefront of player development by creating a pathway for British champions.

The Middlesex University student is working on the performance analysis function which delivers targeted and impactful video and statistical intelligence to underpin evidence-based coaching and enable more effective decision making.

During the seven-month placement the MSc Sport Performance Analysis student will support top male and female British tennis players while also undertaking bespoke analytics projects supporting the teams behind the scenes.

This so far has included helping collect and analyse data at the French Open, the U18 and U14 Nationals, the British Seniors at Bournemouth, The Nottingham Open, Indian Wells and now Wimbledon.

Burden, 22, is new to performance analysis in sport, having studied computer science at undergraduate level.

He said: “It has been really good, I have learnt such a lot and was so happy to get the place.

“When I looked at the specification of the internship and the knowledge I would gain from it, I knew that it would be absolutely brilliant for me.

“I have worked more of the women’s side with the LTA, so gathering the data, reporting the data and then publishing it on the website or sending it off to coaches directly.

“I would love to get a full time role in performance analysis in sport. I really love sport and have always wanted to work in it but I have never had the guts to before applying for the postgraduate degree at Middlesex.

"I am so glad I did because I have absolutely loved it.”

Performance analysis team match reports include the breakdown of first and second serve, what sort of situations players are in and whether their shots are attacking or neutral.

Players are also given analysis of their next opponents.

Chris White, performance intelligence and analysis lead at the LTA, has worked with senior lecturer in sports performance analysis at Middlesex University, Dr Nimai Parmar, to create the opportunity.

Parmar said: “This is an excellent showcase of our students working in an elite environment, which they wouldn’t normally have access to.

“The LTA has shown a great commitment to developing the students’ experiences and making them more employable by the end of it, whilst giving them a fantastic experience supporting top British players.”