Influence of high altitude on competition demands of the professional tennis on hard and clay surface

Abstract

Tennis is played over different surfaces and under different conditions of humidity, altitude, air pressure, etc. Therefore, analyzing competition statistics is considered a key factor since it can help to shape the training in order to get a better performance of the tennis player. The aim of this study was to know the differences in match statistics of ATP 250 tournaments disputed over different court surfaces (clay and hard-court) and under different conditions of the location (sea level and altitude). 122 single male matches were analyzed (62 played in altitude and 60 at sea level). Variables related to match, serve and return were analyzed. Overall, the results showed significant differences in many variables between matches played at sea level and at altitude. The altitude situation seems to affect positively in the variables related to the service, getting the players greater number of aces and points won with first and second serve. On the contrary, the variables related to the rest seem to be affected to a greater extent in hard court than in clay. Altitude and surface conditions influence the competition statistics of professional tennis, in a way that conditions the performance of the professional player.