Male Professional Tennis Players Research Articles

Probability prediction of groundstroke stances among male professional tennis players using a tree-augmented Bayesian network

ABSTRACT The use of different stances can provide tennis players with a tactical advantage since it enables them to cover a larger court area faster. This is especially critical since the entire stroke process takes only 1.5 seconds. However, it is unclear which stance is most suitable on the court. The purpose of the study was to predict the probability of the four stances used for forehand and two-handed backhand (2BH) in different court situations. Four influencing variables (landing zone of the ball (LZB), positioning of the player (PP), returning direction of the ball, landing zone of the returning ball) and one target variable (groundstroke stance) were collected from 3,850 successful shots at the Australian Open by a notation system to train a Bayesian network. Conditional probabilities of stance were estimated based on the two dominant influencing variables derived from Bayesian modelling. Both PP (0.53) and LZB (0.29) were identified as the most dominant influencing variables for stance selection. Probability distributions indicated that open and semi-open stances were most commonly used for forehand strokes, while closed stance was prevalent for 2BH strokes. Our preliminary findings provide insights into the court usage characteristics of the forehand and 2BH in dominant stances.

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.

Influence of anthropometric, ball impact and landing location parameters on serve velocity in elite tennis competition

This study aimed (i) to analyse the associations between serve velocity (SV) and anthropometric, ball impact and landing location parameters in total serves (TS) and fastest serves (FS) performed during an ATP Tour event; (ii) to observe differences between first (S1) and second (S2) serves, and (iii) to determine a SV prediction model based on the relationship between the observed variables. Using Foxtenn technology, 30 S1 and 15 S2 were registered in 14 matches in twenty-one male professional tennis players. Ball impact (impact height [IH], impact projection angle [IPA] and relative impact height [RIH]), bounce landing (width and depth) location parameters, S1 and S2 SV in TS (TSV1 and TSV2) and FS (FSV1 and FSV2) alongside anthropometric characteristics of tennis players (body height [BH], body mass [BM] and body mass index [BMI]) were analysed. Significant moderate to large associations were found between BH and BM and TSV1, FSV1 and FSV2 (r = 0.315 to 0.593; p < 0.001), and between IH and IPA and TSV1 and TSV2 (r = 0.294 to -0.409; p < 0.001). BH and BM were the unique significant contributors of FS explaining 22 to 35% of FSV1 and FSV2. Only BM appears in the model to predict FSV1 and FSV2 (r2 = 0.48 and 0.21). We concluded that all three anthropometric, ball impact and bounce landing location parameters small to moderately influence TSV. Anthropometric parameters show an impact on SV when tennis players serve at or near maximal speed, highlighting the influence of BM above BH.

Gendered Consequences of COVID-19 Among Professional Tennis Players.

The COVID-19 pandemic increased the risk of travelling, working, and participating in public events. To test whether there were gendered differences in the response to COVID-19, we examine the behavior of male and female professional tennis players. We use data from major tennis tournaments which included a rather large number of athletes withdrawing from play. After controlling for past performance, wealth, and other relevant player attributes, we find that female tennis players were more likely to withdraw. This suggests that high-earning women may have greater risk aversion, especially related to COVID-19, than their male counterparts. Importantly, women were more risk-averse when it comes to international travel.

Training Load Management in Professional Tennis Players During COVID-19 Lockdown: A Case Series Study

Background During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, training routines of most athletes around the world were abruptly interrupted, potentially increasing the risk of injury. The purpose of this study was to compare 3 measures of training load (TL): tennis-specific TL, physical TL, and total TL management before, during, and after lockdown of 3 professional male tennis players. Case Presentation Three professional male tennis players were monitored throughout the 2020 season. Outcome and Follow-Up The median total weekly TL (CR-10 Borg rating of perceived exertion—session length in minutes) was 5783 arbitrary units (AU). The total weekly TLs before, during, and after lockdown were 7195, 3753, and 5950, respectively. During lockdown, tennis TL was reduced to 0, while physical TL (including preventive loads) increased by 73%. All players suffered an injury/illness during tennis training resumption following lockdown, where 2 of them were musculoskeletal related and the others were due to COVID-19. There was no association between total acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR) and injury. However, one case had a spike (&gt;1.5) in tennisspecific ACWR 2 weeks before injury, despite maintaining total ACWR between 0.8 and 1.5. Discussion Tennis and physical differential TL monitoring should be carried out separately in order to ensure tennis-specific player readiness. If only total load is monitored during lockdown or rehabilitation from injury, subsequent increases in tennis load upon return to play could potentially increase the risk of injury. The 3 participants showed a similar pattern of total TL throughout the season with pre-lockdown loads being the highest. JOSPT Cases 2022;2(3):141–148. Epub: 21 June 2022. doi:10.2519/josptcases.2022.10863

Key Physical Factors in the Serve Velocity of Male Professional Wheelchair Tennis Players.

The aim of this study was to identify the physical factors related to serve speed in male professional wheelchair tennis players (WT). Nine best nationally-ranked Spanish male wheelchair tennis players (38.35 ± 11.28 years, 63.77 ± 7.01 kg) completed a neuromuscular test battery consisting of: isometric handgrip strength; serve velocity; 5, 10 and 20 m sprint (with and without racket); agility (with and without racket); medicine ball throw (serve, forehand and backhand movements); and an incremental endurance test specific to WT. Significantly higher correlations were observed in serve (r = 0.921), forehand (r = 0.810) and backhand (r = 0.791) medicine ball throws showing a positive correlation with serve velocity. A regression analysis identified a single model with the medicine ball throw serve as the main predictor of serve velocity (r2 = 0.847, p < 0.001). In conclusion, it is recommended that coaches and physical trainers include medicine ball throw workouts in the training programs of WT tennis players due to the transfer benefits to the serve speed.

Visual Observation of Apparent Infraspinatus Muscle Atrophy in Male Professional Tennis Players.

Background:Previous studies have reported visually observed apparent muscle atrophy in the infraspinous fossa of the dominant arm of overhead athletes. Several mechanisms have been proposed as etiological factors, including eccentric overload, compressive spinoglenoid notch paralabral cysts, and cumulative tensile suprascapular neurapraxia.Purpose:To report the prevalence of apparent infraspinatus atrophy in male professional tennis players and to determine whether the suspected atrophy correlates with objectively measured weakness of external rotation.Study Design:Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:A total of 153 male professional tennis players underwent a musculoskeletal screening examination that included visual inspection of the infraspinous fossa. Infraspinatus atrophy was defined as hollowing or loss of soft tissue bulk inferior to the scapular spine in the infraspinous fossa of one extremity that was visibly different from the contralateral extremity. This finding was observed and independently agreed upon by both an orthopaedic surgeon and a physical therapist during the examination. Also assessed were rotator cuff instrument-assisted manual muscle testing, visual observation of scapular kinesis (or motion), and glenohumeral joint range of motion for internal and external rotation and horizontal adduction.Results:In the 153 players, dominant-arm infraspinatus atrophy was observed in 92 players (60.1%), and only 1 player (0.7%) was identified with nondominant infraspinatus atrophy. A Pearson correlation showed a significant relationship between the presence of dominant-arm infraspinatus atrophy and dominant-arm external rotation strength measured in neutral abduction/adduction (at the side) (P = .001) as well as between the presence of dominant-arm infraspinatus atrophy and bilateral external rotation strength measured at 90° of glenohumeral joint abduction (P = .009 for dominant arm and .002 for nondominant arm). No significant correlation was found with scapular dyskinesis, glenohumeral range of motion, or instrument-assisted manual muscle testing of the supraspinatus (empty-can test).Conclusion:Visually observed infraspinatus muscle atrophy is a common finding in the dominant shoulder of asymptomatic male professional tennis players and is significantly correlated with external rotation weakness. This condition is present in uninjured players without known shoulder pathology and is not related to glenohumeral joint internal rotation, total rotation range of motion, or scapular dysfunction. Players with visually observed infraspinatus atrophy should be evaluated for external rotation strength and may require preventive strengthening.

Applying the brakes in tennis: How entry speed affects the movement and hitting kinematics of professional tennis players

ABSTRACT Purpose: Movement and stroke production are coupled when playing tennis but generally decoupled in training and research. This study explored the lower limb, trunk and racquet mechanics of tennis players performing running forehands at varying movement speeds. Methods: Eleven female and seven male professional tennis players hit forehand groundstrokes while travelling at different movement speeds (Low: 1.4–2.0, Medium: 2.70–2.90, High: 4.0–4.3). Kinematics were captured using a VICON camera system. Speed and sex effects were analysed using linear mixed-effects models. Results: Prior to impact, females increased drive leg loading kinematics, and reduced preparatory trunk rotation (−9°), while both sexes lengthened their final stride and backswing during high-speed trials. At impact, racquet-head speed was unchanged for male players but dropped 14% when females travelled at high entry speed (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Reduced trunk rotation and lower limb drive contributed to female players being unable to maintain racquet-head speed when moving at high speed. Conversely, male players generated similar racquet-head speed despite the different entry speeds necessitating lower limb joint adjustments. These findings highlight the different deceleration strategies employed by male and female tennis professionals and challenge the widely accepted training theory in tennis that emphasises hitting and moving actions being rehearsed separately.

프로테니스 남자선수의 상대연령에 따른 경기내용 비교

This study was to identify the differences of match outcomes and contents during the match between birth months and to identify the differences of match outcomes and contents during the match between birth months among the quarterly groups for professional male tennis players who registered in the ATP (Association Tennis Professionals). Totally, 7,213 games were considered as dataset of this study, and 2 variables relevant to outcomes of match, 25 variables relevant to contents of match were selected as variables for this study. For the data process, One-way ANOVA test with Scheffe post-hoc comparisons were used to analyze the data. As results, first of all, there were significant differences of outcomes of match and contents of match between the birth groups based on the quarterly separated that 3 of 4 quarter of a year group has been better than other groups. Secondly, there were significant differences of outcomes and contents of matches between birth months that players born in January and September were better outcomes and contents of match comparing to other birth months.

Serve profile of male and female professional tennis players at the 2015 Roland Garros Grand Slam tournament

The aim of this study was to compare the serve statistics profile of male and female high-level tennis players. In all, 111 tennis singles matches of the Roland Garros 2015 tennis tournament were collected and 10 variables related to first and second serve were analyzed according to service box (deuce and advantage sides) and landing location (wide, body and T‑areas). The results show: (a) men served faster than women; (b) men served a higher percentage of serves at T‑area on deuce side (35.0 vs 27.7%) and at the wide zone on advantage side (44.1 vs 36.7%) with first serves, while women hit more to the body on both sides; (c) men won a higher percentage of points with their first serve compared to women at any zone on both sides, except for the T‑area on deuce side; (d) with their second serve, men placed a greater percentage of serves in the T‑area on deuce side (28.0 vs 21.8%) and wide on the advantage side, whereas women directed more to the body on the advantage side (41.4 vs 33.5%); (e) men won a higher percentage of points with their second serve when they placed it to the body zone on deuce side (54.1 vs 47.1%) and at the T‑area on the advantage side (64.4% vs 44.1%). Our conclusions are that with respect to gender, players showed differing serve patterns. Men served faster, with higher success and placed their serves more frequently to the external areas of the service boxes, while women directed a higher percentage of serves to the body of their opponent.

Height- and surface-related variations in match-play outcomes and rankings in professional men’s tennis

The purpose of this study was to examine whether serve- and return-related match-play outcomes and ranking of the top 100 male professional tennis players vary with regards to court surface and stature. Anthropometric and match-play statistics were recorded from the official webpage of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and distributed into three consecutive height groups. Main results revealed that when playing on grass courts, players produced significantly more aces and double faults, and achieved significantly higher percentage scores on the first serve, serve game won, and serve point won, but significantly lower percentage values on return game and point won than they did on other surfaces. The tallest players produced a significantly greater number of aces per match than the players in other height groups and had a significantly greater percentage of first serve points won than the players in the shortest group on all surfaces. Conversely, on the second serve, the shortest players achieved a significantly higher percentage of return points won on clay than their taller counterparts. Regardless of the surface, the ranking was found to be predominantly associated with serve-related outcomes and comparable between height groups. The findings of the study highlight the considerable variations in various match-play outcomes and rankings among professional male players with regards to court surface and stature.

Identification of serve pacing strategies during five-set tennis matches

This study aims to investigate the prominence of different pacing strategies adopted by male professional tennis players during five-set matches and their relationship with match outcome, ATP ranking and Grand Slam tournament. Fifty five-set matches of the 2014 Grand Slam tournaments were analyzed. First and second serve velocities, percentages of first serve in, and percentages of first and second serve points won were collected for each of the five sets. According to the fluctuations of mean first serve velocity for each of the five sets, players were classified into five types of pacing strategies: ‘variable’, ‘parabolic’, ‘constant’, ‘all-out’ and ‘negative-split’. Professional players mostly used ‘variable’ pacing strategy (45%), followed by ‘parabolic’ (20%), ‘constant’ (18%) and ‘all-out’ (15%) strategies, which are closely distributed. Finally, ‘negative-split’ strategy (2%) is infrequently used. The pacing strategy used by players tends to exert an influence on match outcome ( P = 0.072). There is no significant association between players’ ranking and type of pacing strategy used ( P = 0.384). There is no significant association between Grand Slam tournaments and type of pacing strategy used ( P = 0.875). Serve velocity and serve points won are significantly decreased in losers, while they are increased or kept constant in winners during the fifth set of the match. ‘Negative split’, ‘variable’ and ‘parabolic’ strategies seem to be the most effective for winning five-set match, while ‘all-out’ strategy appears ineffective since when players used it, they lost the match in 73% of cases. Moreover, tennis players should consider physical conditioning programs to avoid decreases in serve velocity and percentage during the fifth set of a tennis match.

Ball toss kinematics of different service types in professional tennis players

ABSTRACTIf ball toss kinematics differ during different tennis service types, receivers may be able to identify service types or locations, possibly increasing their chances of reaching and returning incoming serves. The aim of this study was to assess the two-dimensional kinematics of the ball toss during different serve types. Professional male tennis players (n = 15) with ATP rankings of 648 ± 433 (highest 180; lowest 1431) served first (flat, slice, kick) and second serves to different locations (wide and T) from the deuce and advantage court. Using a high-speed camera (400 Hz) from the receiver’s point of view, the points of ball release (BR), vertical toss peak (TP), and racket-ball contact (RC) were analysed. The TP and RC of the kick serve occurred further to the right (18–21 and 30–35 cm, respectively) compared to other serve types from both serving sides. Compared to second serves wide, second serve to the T had a TP and RC 11 and 18 cm further to the right, respectively, but only from the deuce court. As the ball toss kinematics are unique for these serves, future research should identify whether players can use this information to successfully anticipate service type and location.

The advantage of lefties in one-on-one sports

AbstractLeft-handers comprise approximately 15% of professional tennis players, but only 11% of the general population. In boxing, baseball, fencing, table-tennis and specialist batting positions in cricket the contrast is even starker, with 30% or more of top players often being left-handed. In this paper we propose a model for identifying the advantage of being left-handed in one-on-one interactive sports (as well as the inherent skill of each player). We construct a Bayesian latent ability model in the spirit of the classic Glicko model but with the additional complication of having a latent factor, i.e. the advantage of left-handedness, that we need to estimate. Inference is further complicated by the truncated nature of data-sets that arise from only having data of the top players. We show how to infer the advantage of left-handedness when only the proportion of top left-handed players is available. We use this result to develop a simple dynamic model for inferring how the advantage of left-handedness varies through time. We also extend the model to cases where we have ranking or match-play data. We test these models on 2014 match-play data from top male professional tennis players, and the dynamic model on data from 1985 to 2016.

Returning Serve in Tennis: A Qualitative Examination of the Interaction of Anticipatory Information Sources Used by Professional Tennis Players.

Research has largely focused on the individual contribution of either kinematic or contextual information sources to the anticipatory skill of an expert athlete during a time-stressed situation. Very little research has considered how these two sources of information interact with each other to influence anticipation. The current study used a qualitative interview methodology to investigate this interaction. Eight former or current top 250 professional male tennis players participated in a 30–60 min interview about the interaction of kinematic and contextual information sources and their influence on anticipation. Using an open-coding analysis approach, codes were identified by each researcher from the transcribed interviews and then brought together to identify common themes. The primary themes were consciousness, tactical awareness, contextual information sources, kinematic information sources, mentality/confidence, returner technique or strategy, and build pressure on the server. Secondary themes coded from the participants were returning characteristics and practice. Consequently, a temporal model was developed which demonstrated the sequence and interaction of both kinematic and contextual information sources known to influence expert tennis player’s anticipation.

Hormonal and neuromuscular responses during a singles match in male professional tennis players

We sought to measure the response of cortisol concentrations around a professional tennis match and its association with hydration status and neuromuscular performance. Nine professional male tennis players were tested in a rest day, and 2-week after, during the first match of a professional tournament played in a clay-court. Salivary concentrations of cortisol (SalCC) were measured in a resting day (9:00 am and 8:00 pm), at the match day (9:00 am and 8:00 pm) and immediately before and after the match. Hydration status was assessed before the match (urine specific gravity; USG) while fluid turnover was tracked during the match. Finally, counter movement jump (CMJ) and handgrip isometric strength (HS) were measured before and after the match. SalCC, either in the morning (P = 0.161) and afternoon (P = 0.683) was similar in rest and match days. However, SalCC increased after the match (P = 0.033). Participants started the match hypohydrated (USG = 1.026±0.002) and during the match lost 1.0±0.3% of body weight despite 1.035±0.124 L/h of fluid ingested. CMJ and HS did not change post-match (P = 0.210 and P = 0.881, respectively). Correlations between the elevations in SalCC and dehydration (% BW loss) during the match were significant (r = -0.632; P = 0.034). Professional male tennis players did not show an anticipatory increase in SalCC the day of the match and neither signs of neuromuscular fatigue after it. During the match, the mild dehydration (i.e., <1.5%) was associated with the increases in cortisol levels which suggests that dehydration may be an added stress to be considered.

Effects of experience and relative quality in tennis match performance during four Grand Slams

The aim of this study was to explore the differences in technical, tactical and movement performance of professional male tennis players in Grand Slams, according to player's experience and relative quality. Match data of 1188 players competing in 2015–2017 Grand Slam tournaments were collected. Experience and relative quality (RQ) were used to classify players via cluster analysis, based on Cubic Clustering Criterion. Afterwards, a descriptive discriminant analysis was performed to identify the most important variables that best predict player clusters in each Grand Slam, and two discriminant functions were generated (p < 0.01). High-experienced Higher RQ Players (n = 337) outperformed other players in serve and return (fewer double faults, more second serve and return points won), rally winners and breaking opportunities while covering longer distance. Experienced Higher RQ Players (n = 267) hit faster serves and more aces, played more aggressively when returning (more return winners and unforced errors) and traversed less distance. Players approached the net with similar times in all Slams, showing that the current trend in male tennis is being tactically aggressive on all court surfaces. The effects of experience and RQ provide insights on individualized training and performance optimization in practice and competition.

Split-Step Timing of Professional and Junior Tennis Players.

The purpose of the study was to determine the timing of a split-step in three categories of tennis players in four groups of strokes. Subjects were divided into three groups: male and female junior, and male professional tennis players. During two tournaments, all matches were recorded with two fixed video cameras. For every stroke, the timing of the split-step between the opponent’s impact point when hitting the ball and the player’s split-step was measured. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the differences between groups of strokes, players and the interaction Player x Stroke Group. A Tukey post-hoc test was employed to determine specific differences. The results revealed differences between players in detecting the opponent’s movement, stroke and ball flight, which were reflected in different split-step timings. Each tennis player has his/her own timing mechanism which they adapt to various game situations. Response times differ significantly depending on the game situation. On average, they are the lowest in the serve, and then gradually rise from the return of the serve to baseline game, reaching the highest values in specific game situations. Players react faster in the first serve than in the second one and in the return of the serve, the response times are lower after the return of the second serve

Doping offences in male professional tennis: how does sanction affect players’ career?

BackgroundThe use of performance enhancing drugs is still a major problem in competitive sports. Even though tennis is not affected by systematic doping, there is lack of scientific evidence on the effect of sanctions on players` career. The aim of this study was to analyze male tennis players’ career after a doping sanction.MethodsAll doping offences committed by male professional tennis players during 2003–2014 were registered from the International Tennis Federation records and analyzed considering three ranking positions: at sanction date, the peak career position, and the highest position after doping violation.ResultsForty-six players (aged 26.04 ± 3.48 years) committed 47 doping offences in a 14-year period with an average ineligibility time of 11.13 ± 9.90 months. Ranking position at sanction date averaged 409.53 ± 437.53 (median 266); the highest career position averaged 201.12 ± 293.96 (median 83) and the highest career position after doping violation was 350.85 ± 441.38 (median 156). Elite players committed less doping offences than players beyond the 100° ranking position (29.78 and 70.21 %, respectively; p < 0.01). Most players (72.34 %) reached their career highest position before the doping sanction (p = 0.01). The average time to retirement was 35.76 ± 31.03 months, while 12 % did not return to professional tennis competition after the doping offence.ConclusionsMost suspended tennis players were not elite players. Doping sanction seems to significantly affect male tennis players’ career. Only a minority of sanctioned players could reach their peak ranking position after the doping offence and suspension may accelerate the retirement process.

From endurance to power athletes: The changing shape of successful male professional tennis players

The aim of the present study was to identify whether the relative shape and size characteristics of elite male tennis players have changed over time, and in addition whether any anthropometric parameters characterise the more successful players in Grand Slam tournaments. The height and body mass of the players qualifying for the first round in all four Grand Slam tennis tournaments during the period 1982–2011 was obtained, and successful players defined arbitrarily as those reaching round 3 or beyond. Body mass index (BMI) and the reciprocal ponderal index (RPI) were used as our measures of body shape. Multilevel modelling was used to explore the trend over time using non-linear polynomials. The results suggest that the body shape of elite tennis players has changed over time, with a non-linear (cubic polynomial regression model) increase in BMI and a similar non-linear decline in the RPI. BMI, reflecting greater muscle mass rather than greater adiposity, has emerged as an important factor associated with success, identified by a significantly positive (steeper) “successful player”-by-“year” interaction term. The evidence that the RPI of elite tennis players has also decreased over time, together with a significantly negative “successful player”-by-“year” interaction term, suggests that a more linear (ectomorphic) body shape is a less important factor in terms of success. These results suggest that elite male tennis players are becoming more power trained athletes as opposed to endurance athletes, with greater muscle mass being an important factor associated with success in all Grand Slam tournaments.