Abstract
As a competitive sport, tennis demands a comprehensive understanding of the factors which contribute to success at different levels of performance. In order to clarify the aforementioned, the aim of this study was to explore and understand the perspective of tennis players, at differing levels of success, and the impact of social capital on their sporting careers. A particular emphasis was put on an elite group of tennis players who succeeded in reaching the pinnacle of success by winning a Grand Slam title. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 30 tennis players, including 10 Grand Slam winners. Upon transcription, the interviews were analyzed by using reflexive thematic analysis. Family presence and support during the challenges faced by tennis players emerged as a clear research topic following the research analysis. The perspectives of tennis players on the influence of social capital on long-term sports development and achievements revealed that the family plays a key role in the process of raising and supporting tennis players. In order to improve the long-term sports development of tennis players, families must ensure and provide a more significant role in the accrual of social capital, however it is not necessarily a sufficient condition to success.
Published Version
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