The Personality Characteristics of Internationally Ranked Female Tennis Players as Measured by the Cattell 16 PF

Abstract

This study was undertaken to add to understanding of the profile of the female athlete both psychologically and physiologically. 16 internationally ranked female professional tennis players were administered the Cattell 16 Personality Factor (16 PF) Questionnaire. When age was controlled in the research design (under 27 vs over 28 years old), the younger players were significantly more intelligent and experimental than the older group. When rank was controlled (above 50, below 50), no significant results were reported. Compared to the norms for the general female population, the tennis pros were significantly more reserved, more intelligent, more suspicious, and less pretentious. More information is needed to study intragroup comparisons, as well as comparisons with nonelite female athletes and elite male athletes.