China's AI tennis robot goes global: 1,100 courts, 60 countries

A Chinese AI tennis robot — dubbed the "AI tennis buddy" — is going global. According to CCTV Finance, the Shenzhen-made machine moves freely around the court, rallies with precision, and has now been adopted by more than 1,100 tennis courts in China while shipping to over 60 countries and regions.

The export numbers are the striking part: 70% to 80% of total sales come from overseas markets, making it a showcase case for Chinese smart sports equipment going abroad.

Unlike stationary ball machines, the autonomous unit roams the court on its own, reading the ball's trajectory and adjusting its position, shot power and placement — a training experience far closer to a real rally. It solves two classic pain points for tennis lovers: no hitting partner and no coach on call.

The timing helps. China's tennis population has topped 25 million and keeps getting younger — a demographic highly receptive to tech-flavored sports gear. For court operators, the robot is both a differentiator and a revenue line.

From drones to robot vacuums to tennis robots, the pattern is familiar: Chinese manufacturing moving up the value chain one vertical at a time. Badminton and table tennis versions may not be far behind.