Elite Tennis Players Research Articles

Elite tennis player's perceptions of coaching effectiveness

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of six elite Chinese tennis players and their perspectives of coaching effectiveness within their sport. We collected data using two approaches: semi-structured interviews and player documents (e.g., detailed biographies, competition experience, and performance statistics). Data were analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis to identify the coaches’ knowledge and behaviors that elite Chinese players considered to be effective and ineffective within the training and competitive landscape. We constructed two overarching themes to represent elite tennis player's perceptions regarding coaching effectiveness: (1) perceived coaching roles (i.e., the coach as a planner, teacher, and strategist), and (2) coaching as a social phenomenon (i.e., interpersonal styles and networks, effective and ineffective behaviors). Theoretically, this study aligns with the 3 + 1Cs model of the coach–athlete relationship and enriches the literature on coaching effectiveness in elite tennis. Practically, this study underscores the value of coaching knowledge and behaviors in shaping player's competitive performance and sociopsychological abilities and identifies recommendations for coaches and players to develop harmonious and meaningful relationships within the elite tennis context.

The effects of the Mindfulness, Acceptance and Self-Compassion in Sport (MASCS) program on the sport anxiety and self-compassion of elite tennis players

This study examined the effect of a twelve-session Mindfulness, Acceptance and Self-Compassion in Sport (MASCS) program on self-compassion and somatic anxiety, worry and concentration disruption sub-dimensions of sport anxiety in elite tennis players. A randomized control group pretest and post-test experimental design was used in this study. The study involved sixteen elite tennis players attending a tennis club. Their ages ranged between 12 and 18 years, with a mean age of 14.25. The Sport Anxiety Scale-2 and the Self-Compassion Scale–Short Form were used as data collection instruments before and after the program. Elite tennis players in the experimental group participated in the MASCS program once a week for twelve weeks. The results showed that after the MASCS program, there was an increase in self-compassion and a decrease in somatic anxiety, worry, and concentration disruption sub-dimensions of sport anxiety in the experimental group. There were also significant differences between self-compassion and the somatic anxiety and concentration disruption sub-dimensions of sport anxiety post-test scores of the experimental and control groups in favor of the experimental group. These findings suggest that elite athletes can improve their ability to cope with anxiety in sports by practicing mindfulness and self-compassion exercises.

A Longitudinal Multicase Study About the Board-Game Format of an Educational Self-Talk Intervention

This study explored goal-directed self-talk and its optimization through educational self-talk interventions, focusing on a novel sports-oriented board-game intervention. Examining a practitioner’s experiences and diverse participant profiles, including an elite tennis player, a recreational athlete, a football referee, and a tennis coach, the research employed four in-depth case studies. A unique aspect of this study involved intentional control transfer from practitioner to client, documented through a practitioner diary and postintervention interviews. Participants generally expressed appreciation for the intervention; however, the coach’s case necessitated bespoke adjustments, underscoring the importance of contextual sensitivity in applied practice. The educational self-talk intervention reportedly facilitated the analytical deconstruction of challenges, enhancing self-regulation through goal-directed self-talk. The study underscored the pedagogical merit of the board game and observed a substantive transfer of control from practitioner to participant over the intervention’s longitudinal trajectory. Detailed recommendations have been crafted for practitioners to implement the educational self-talk intervention effectively in their practice.

Sports engagement and mental toughness in high-performance: A study with tennis players from Ecuador and Portugal

The purpose of this study was to analysis the relationship of sport engagement and mental toughness in elite tennis players from Ecuador and Portugal. The study featured 265 elite tennis players (127 from Ecuador and 138 from Portugal), with ages between 15 and 30 years old (Mage = 18.81; SD = 3.73) and belonging to the most advanced categories of the national ranking of both countries. Two questionnaires were used including the Mental Toughness Index and Athlete Engagement Questionnaire. We realized a quantitative analysis, where the ANOVA statistical analysis test of unidirectional repetitive measures, Pearson correlation (ρ) and Cronbach (α) were used, which supported the analysis. The results showed that tennis players from both countries have high levels of sport engagement and mental toughness. In addition, the results showed positively relationship between sport engagement and mental toughness, indicating that players to become mentally tougher need to be dedicated and enthusiastic about the sport. On the other hand, not significant differences between both genders and countries were evident. This study reinforces the importance of developing psychological programs, based on sport engagement and mental toughness in order to developing determined, tough and component athletes to overcome adversity.

I Was an Elite Tennis Athlete; I Played, I Won, I m Forced and I Left

Tennis players may encounter many physical and mental difficulties on the way to becoming a performance athlete by focusing on their careers and having to sacrifice their educational experiences, work opportunities and social lives. While this situation leads to an increase in their tendency to quit sports at an early age, it also shows that there is a need for studies to determine the factors that affect sports behavior. In this direction, the aim of the study is to examine and evaluate the reasons for starting and continuing tennis, the difficulties they encounter as athletes and the reasons for quitting tennis. This research, which was conducted with qualitative methodology, was carried out within the scope of phenomenology pattern. In this study, in which convenience sampling and criterion sampling, one of the purposive sampling methods, were used together, a screening was carried out according to the pre-established criteria in the process of determining the participant. In line with these criteria, the study group consists of 22 athletes, male and female, who have played elite tennis in clubs affiliated to the Turkish Tennis Federation and who have quit tennis. From the participants; They were asked to answer questions about the reasons for starting tennis, the reasons for becoming an elite tennis player, the difficulties they encountered while playing tennis, and the reasons for quitting tennis. The data obtained were coded within the framework of questions and sub-questions using content analysis, and then themes and sub-themes were determined. As a result, the majority of the participants stated that they started tennis with the support of their parents, they expected to have a reputation/status and to have social/educational opportunities thanks to tennis. In addition, it was concluded that they could not be motivated enough to train-competition due to the lack of knowledge of their trainers and they stopped playing tennis due to permanent injuries, surgical operations and mental fatigue.

Comparison of flow experiencing in elite tennis players and certified project managers: A Czechoslovak study

The presented research article is focused on the issue of flow experiencing in elite tennis players and certified project managers. The primary goal of the research is to empirically identify whether there is a significant variance in flow experiencing between elite tennis players and certified project managers. To fulfill the goal of the research, a questionnaire survey is used among elite tennis players representing the Czech and Slovak Republics and certified project managers (IPMA, PMI, PRINCE2 certification). The research results showed that there is no significant variance between elite tennis players and certified project managers flow experiencing. This finding is important for the development of managerial skills of project managers who are trying to find the most effective way of using the flow phenomenon to achieve better work performance. After an overall evaluation of both theoretical and our empirical findings, we conclude that phenomenon flow is a dynamic and lively theoretical concept with the potential for further development in areas that are not currently the subject of further research into management use.

Change of Direction Asymmetry in Youth Elite Tennis Players: A Longitudinal Study.

Longitudinal investigations into the development of inter-limb asymmetry in sports are scarce. This study examined the development of change of direction (COD) asymmetry magnitude in youth elite tennis players. Dominant (overall best performance) and non-dominant (best performance on the other side) scores and COD asymmetry magnitude were quantified annually (up to six years) in 323 male and 235 female players (ages 6 to13 years). Linear mixed effects regression models examined the development of COD performance and asymmetry magnitude according to players' chronological age and sex. Kappa coefficients examined the consistency for the direction of asymmetry across test occasions. Regardless of sex, COD performance significantly improved (p<0.001) while COD asymmetry magnitude significantly decreased (- 0.17±0.87% / year) with increasing chronological age. Regardless of age, males showed significantly lower COD times (- 0.111±0.091 s) and lower COD asymmetry magnitude (- 0.30±1.00%) compared to females. The slight and poor (k-value=0.02-0.00) kappa coefficients for males and females, respectively, highlight the direction specificity of functional asymmetry. These data show that whereas performance of the COD test improved, the magnitude of COD asymmetry declined across chronological age in youth tennis players.

A low carrying angle is measured in elite tennis players just before ball impact during the forehand, suggesting a dynamic varus instant accommodation moving towards full extension.

The goal of this study was to use image analysis recordings to measure the carrying angle of elite male tennis players during the forehand stroke, with the hypothesis that elite tennis players overstress their elbow in valgus over the physiological degree in the frontal plane just before ball contact on forehand groundstrokes. The carrying angle of male tennis players ranked in the top 25 positions in the ATP ranking was measured on selected video frames with the elbow as close as possible to full extension just before the ball-racket contact in forehands. These frames were extracted from 306 videos professionally recorded for training purposes by a high-profile video analyst. All measures were conducted by three independent observers. Sixteen frames were finally included. The mean carrying angle was 11.5° ± 4.7°. The intraclass correlation coefficient value was 0.703, showing good reliability of the measurement technique. The measured carrying angle was lower than what has been observed in historical cohorts using comparable measurement methodology, suggesting a possible instant varus accommodation mechanism before hitting the ball. The observed decrease in the carrying angle is a consequence of an increase in elbow flexion position dictated by the transition from a closed to open, semi-open stances. As the elbow flexes during the preparation phase, it is less constrained by the olecranon and its fossa, increasing the strain on the medial collateral ligament and capsule structures. Moving towards full extension before the ball-racket contact, the elbow is dynamically stabilised by a contraction of the flexor muscles. These observations could provide a new explanation for medial elbow injuries among elite tennis players and drive specific rehabilitation protocols. Descriptive epidemiology study. Level IV.

Energy Expenditure of Elite Male and Female Professional Tennis Players During Habitual Training.

Understanding the daily energy expenditure of athletes during training is important to support recovery, adaptation, and the maintenance of performance. The aim of the current research was to assess the total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) and the acute energy expenditure (EE) of tennis training sessions during habitual training of elite tennis players. Using a cohort study design, 27 (n = 10, male; age; 22.3 ± 3.2years and n = 17, female; age: 23.8 ± 3.5years) elite singles tennis players were assessed for TDEE and tennis training EE. Using Actiheart activity monitors during a 2- to 5-day training period, male players were analyzed for 26days and 33 (1.3 ± 0.5sessions/day) tennis training sessions, and female players for 43days and 58 (1.2 ± 0.4sessions/day) tennis training sessions. Male TDEE (4,708 ± 583kcal/day) was significantly higher than female (3,639 ± 305kcal/day). Male absolute and relative tennis training EEs (10.2 ± 2.3kcal/min and 7.9 ± 1.4kcal·hr-1·kg-1) were significantly higher than those of females (7.6 ± 1.0kcal/min and 6.8 ± 0.9kcal·hr-1·kg-1). The resting metabolic rate was assessed via indirect calorimetry. The physical activity level for both groups was 2.3AU. The TDEE of male and female players during habitual training now highlights the continual cycle of high energy demands experienced by the elite tennis player. The broad ranges of TDEE and EE reported here suggest individual assessment and nutritional planning be prioritized, with a particular focus on carbohydrate requirements.

Resistance Training Using Flywheel Device Improves the Shot Precision in Senior Elite Tennis Players: A Randomized Controlled Study

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of 8 weeks of resistance training using a flywheel device applied to upper limbs, compared to traditional isotonic training, on strength and shot precision in tennis. Twenty-seven elite senior tennis players (age: 55.78 ± 2.69) were randomly divided into an experimental group (EG) using flywheel devices (n = 13) and a control group (CG) performing isotonic training (n = 14). The EG program included forehand, backhand, and one-handed shoulder press movements, while the CG performed seven resistance exercises on isotonic machines. A similar workout intensity was ensured using the Borg’s CR-10 scale. The assessment included a 30s arm curl test, a medicine ball throw test, and forehand/backhand/overhead shot precision tests. A significant time effect was found in the 30s arm curl test for the EG (F(1,25) = 13.09; p = 0.001), along with a time * group interaction (F(1,25) = 5.21; p = 0.031). A significant group difference was observed in the forehand shot precision test, where the EG achieved better scores than the CG and significant interaction time * group (F(1,25) = 8.35; p = 0.008). In the shot backhand precision test, a significant effect of time (F(1,25) = 5.01; p = 0.034) and significant time * group interaction were found (F(1,25) = 4.50; p = 0.044), but there was no significant difference between groups. Resistance training with flywheel devices has shown potential in improving tennis performance. Applying overload to specific athletic movements during both concentric and eccentric phases in the EG has shown enhanced strength and neuromuscular coordination in relation to shot precision, thereby enabling simultaneous improvements in both conditioning and the technical aspects of fundamental tennis shots.

Development of youth tennis players: A study based on the ranking history of top ATP/WTA players worldwide and China.

The top 100 ATP/WTA ranking points are a crucial indicator of entry into the high-level world of tennis players, and the number of players from a nation in this ranking reflects the overall level of their tennis. However, the growth time series characteristics of elite tennis athletes are unclear. This study aims to examine the historical career ranking changes of elite players and provide valuable insights for aspiring young players looking to achieve success in the sport. At the same time, it is of great significance for the efficient and sustainable cultivation of Chinese tennis players. Data on the rankings of 202 players were analyzed, Spearman and Pearson correlations were employed to investigate the association between ranking and time-use patterns. The variance test was utilized to compare disparities in time characteristics of the ranking, with a statistical significance level of p<0.05. There was a significant correlation between the time of entering the professional tournament ranking system and the ranking, top 100 time, top 100 age, and age of starting tennis. Top 50 ATP players are earlier than those ranked 51-100. There was a significant difference between the age of starting tennis and the time to top 10 among the ATP and WTA players. Chinese female players showed no significant differences compared to their global Top 10 counterparts in terms of time-to-success characteristics. The elite tennis players who achieve success typically start playing and competing in the sport at a young age, with professional competition often commencing around 18 years of age. Notably, these players frequently attain high rankings before reaching the age of 20. Furthermore, top 10 ATP male players tend to start tennis at an earlier age and require a shorter time to achieve a top 10 ranking compared with WTA female players.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF PLAYING SURFACE ON THE PLAYING STYLE OF THE TOP-FIVE RANKED TENNIS PLAYERS IN THE WORLD

Mastering diverse tennis court surfaces demands distinct skills and strategies, enhancing adaptability for players to excel. Adapting to these differences not only shapes a well-rounded player but also offers a competitive edge by aligning tactics with conditions, opponents, and situations. Through purposive sampling, the study selected the top five global tennis players based on their 2022 ATP Tour Rankings. Analyzing match videos using NacSport Basic+ across clay (N=14), grass (N=14), and hard courts (N=10), the study scrutinized shot selection. Indicators included total serves, aces, success rates in serves, forehand, backhand, and volley shots, unforced errors for each type, and double faults. On hard courts, players achieved a mean of 75.50 ± 15.967 successful serves from 123.10 ± 28.192 attempts. Forehand shots averaged 20.40 ± 9.252 winners and 15.00 ± 6.018 unforced errors. Volleys saw 5.80 ± 1.989 winners and only 1.40 ± 1.075 unforced errors, while backhand shots had more unforced errors (17.30 ± 7.134) than winners (10.30 ± 4.572). Transitioning to grass, the total serves won averaged 74.86 ± 18.068 out of 122.10 ± 30.105 attempts. Forehand shots-maintained prominence with 20.93 ± 7.290 winners and 20.07 ± 7.405 unforced errors. Volleys averaged 6.64 ± 3.608 for winners and 2.86 ± 1.099 unforced errors, with backhand shots showing more unforced errors (19.79 ± 5.508) than winners (12.00 ± 5.189). On clay, players achieved 71.93 ± 18.568 successful serves from 144.27 ± 43.645 attempts. Forehand shots averaged 20.40 ± 6.874 winners and 18.13 ± 7.745 unforced errors. Volleys saw 6.00 ± 2.449 winners and 2.07 ± 1.163 unforced errors, with backhand shots exhibiting more unforced errors (17.27 ± 5.898) than winners (10.53 ± 4.291). In essence, top players strategically adapt their style to each court’s demands, leveraging strengths to excel. This adaptability underscores their exceptional skill and versatility, solidifying their positions as elite tennis players across diverse conditions.

Rib Stress Fractures and a Novel Muscle-Sparing Rib Fixation Plating in an Elite Tennis Player: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Case Report.

A nationally ranked Division One female collegiate tennis player presented with pain in the chest and right posterior rib region after feeling a popping sensation during a routine overhead movement. The patient was eventually diagnosed with 2 lower rib stress fractures. After unsuccessful conservative management, the player underwent an open reduction and internal fixation and autologous bone grafting of the sixth and seventh ribs with a muscle-sparing approach and was able to return to full competition. We present this case along with a systematic review of the literature regarding rib stress fractures, which included 6 separate online data sources (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, CINAHL, SportDiscus, and Medline). The successful surgical intervention demonstrates a significant option for elite athletes who wish to return to competition but have been unable to with standard of care conservative management of rib stress fractures.

Lumbopelvic motor control in elite tennis players with and without a history of low back pain

Lumbopelvic motor control in elite tennis players with and without a history of low back pain

Survey and Sonographic Evaluation of Shoulder Musculoskeletal Pain in Korean Junior Elite Tennis Players: A Pilot Study

Survey and Sonographic Evaluation of Shoulder Musculoskeletal Pain in Korean Junior Elite Tennis Players: A Pilot Study

Talent identification among elite Czech male junior tennis players (U12) according to their future tennis performance and birthdate

Talent identification (TI) in sport, which is the selection of individuals disposed to achieve elite performance in adulthood, is often based on physical fitness testing. TI is linked to the phenomenon called the Relative Age Effect (RAE), referring to the influence of birthdate on sports performance. This retrospective study is based on the assumption that elite adult athletes possessed indicators predictive of a successful career already at a young age. The study aimed to assess the differences among Czech male tennis players according to 1) their tennis performance in adulthood, 2) their birthdate in each semester (S). The participants were players U12 who were later among top 1000 in the ATP Singles Rankings (SR). The research data was obtained during regular testing of the Czech Tennis Association (1998–2019). Significant differences between subgroups R1 (SR 1st - 500th) and R2 (SR 501st - 1000th) were found, surprisingly in favor of R2 in 4 variables. Significant differences were found in favor of B1 (born in S1) in 2 variables, and in favor of B2 (born in S2) in 2 variables. La identificación de talentos (IT) en el deporte, que es la selección de individuos dispuestos a lograr un rendimiento de élite en la edad adulta, a menudo se basa en pruebas de aptitud física. La IT está relacionada con el fenómeno llamado Efecto de la Edad Relativa (EER), que se refiere a la influencia de la fecha de nacimiento en el rendimiento deportivo. Este estudio retrospectivo se basa en la suposición de que los atletas adultos de élite poseían indicadores predictivos de una carrera exitosa desde una edad temprana. El estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar las diferencias entre los tenistas masculinos checos según 1) su rendimiento en el tenis en la edad adulta, 2) su fecha de nacimiento en cada semestre (S). Los participantes fueron jugadores sub-12 que más tarde se ubicaron entre los 1000 mejores en el Ranking ATP de Individuales. Los datos de la investigación se obtuvieron durante las pruebas periódicas de la Asociación Checa de Tenis (1998-2019). Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los subgrupos R1 (ranking 1 - 500) y R2 (ranking 501 - 1000), sorprendentemente favorables a R2 en 4 variables. Se encontraron diferencias significativas favorables a B1 (nacidos en S1) en 2 variables, y favorables a B2 (nacidos en S2) en 2 variables.

An Observational Case Series Measuring the Energy Expenditure of Elite Tennis Players During Competition and Training by Using Doubly Labeled Water

An understanding of an athlete's total daily energy expenditure (TEE) is necessary to inform nutritional strategies, particularly where daily training and competitive demands are highly variable. This observational case series assessed the TEE of elite tennis players during high-level competition. Senior female singles participants (FS: n = 3; 21 [1]y; ranked Women's Tennis Association [WTA] top 125-375), an FS junior (n = 1; 16y; ranked WTA top 350), and a men's doubles player (n = 1; 26y; ranked Association of Tennis Professionals [ATP] top 5) were assessed for TEE (using the doubly labeled water method) during a 9- to 14-day period, which included training, Wimbledon Championships, WTA/ATP International Tournaments, Junior/Senior International Tennis Federation, and Wimbledon Junior Championships. One female (FS3) did not exercise from day 4 following injury. TEE for men's doubles was 4586kcal·d-1 (67kcal·kg-1 fat-free mass [FFM]; daily activity 98 [74]min). Noninjured adult female participants' TEEs were 3396 and 3948kcal·d-1 (66 and 81kcal·kg-1 FFM; daily activity durations were 139 [84]min and 150 [66]min, respectively), while TEE for the injured athlete was 2583kcal·d-1 (45.7kcal·kg-1; daily nonexercise activity duration was <45min). The junior player TEE was 3988kcal·d-1 (78.2kcal·kg-1 FFM; daily activity of 131 [66]min). This observational case series positions tennis as a highly energetically demanding sport with variability evident between individuals (ie,TEE between 60 and 90kcal·kg-1 FFM). Accordingly, nutritional strategies that promote sufficient energy availability should be emphasized with individual variability suitably assessed prior to prescription.

Growth and maturity status of young elite and sub-elite tennis players

The purposes of this study were to determine the growth and maturity status of young competitive tennis players and to examine their associations with national rankings. The participants were 36 male and 34 female players who competed in the U14 national team selection tournament in 2022. They were divided into three groups according to their results and entries as national players (n = 8), main draw players (n = 31), and qualifying players (n = 31). Ages at peak height velocity and growth status were calculated. Regardless of gender, the mean height and body mass percentiles of players were above the 60th centile. In girls, the results indicated that both national and main draw players were significantly more advanced in maturation (p&lt; 0.05) and had higher body mass indexes (p&lt; 0.05) than qualifying players. In boys, no significant differences were observed among the three groups for all variables. Correlation results showed that maturity status was the most correlated (p&lt; 0.01) variable in girls. No significant relationships between rankings and other variables were obtained for boys. These results suggest that physical size and advanced maturity should be taken into consideration in the selection and identification of youth elite female tennis players.

Analysis of Kinetic Chain Mechanism Affecting Energy Flow in Kick Topspin Tennis Serve in Elite and Amateur Tennis Players

Analysis of Kinetic Chain Mechanism Affecting Energy Flow in Kick Topspin Tennis Serve in Elite and Amateur Tennis Players

Injury Surveillance and Training Load Methods Used by Health Professionals in Tennis: An Online Multinational Survey.

Injury surveillance and training load monitoring are both essential for the development of preventative strategies for gradual-onset musculoskeletal injuries in elite sport. Our aim was to survey health professionals working with elite tennis players on whether and how they monitor injuries and training load. A cross-sectional multinational online open-survey. The survey was developed and advertised in English, Spanish, and Portuguese languages on social media channels, a tennis academic journal, professional tennis associations, and clinical networks of the research team, from December 2020 to April 2021. 72 health professionals from 27 different countries working with elite tennis players responded to the survey. Injury surveillance is performed by 94% (68/72) of the survey respondents, with only 10% (7/68) using the consensus-recommended Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center questionnaire. Most common barriers identified by health professionals to injury surveillance are time constraints (66%), lack of knowledge (43%), and technology (31%). Training load monitoring is performed by 50% (36/72) of the health professionals working with elite tennis players. Main metrics monitored are weekly differences in training load (72%) and acute:chronic workload ratio (58%). Most common reasons for training load monitoring are injury prevention (94%), training planning (81%), and player feedback (53%). Despite a high percentage of health professionals implementing injury surveillance metrics, most of them do not use any validated method. Only half of health professionals working with elite tennis players monitor training load. Lack of knowledge and technology were the main barriers reported for adequately monitoring injuries.