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Motor imagery (MI) is frequently used in tennis players. This pilot study aimed to assess whether the MI modality and preference of skilled tennis players could influence their service performance when using MI before serving first balls. Twenty expert players (Mage = 18.6 years) completed the movement imagery questionnaire (third version) to assess their MI modality scores (internal visual, external visual, and kinesthetic) and their MI preference. Participants completed 4 experimental counterbalanced sessions spread over 4 weeks, each including the completion of 20 first-serve balls in match condition. The sessions included a control condition (i.e., only physical practice trials) and three MI conditions during which the players had to mentally imagine themselves performing a serve according to one of the imagery modalities, either internal visual, external visual, or kinesthetic, before serving. The percentage of success, the speed of the service balls (measured by a tablet with SWING VISION and a radar gun), and an efficiency score were recorded and then evaluated by experts and served as performance indicators and dependent variables. The results of this study showed that players benefited from MI before serving and that almost a third of the participants achieved a higher percentage of success and efficiency scores when using their preferred MI modality. These results lead us, in an applied way, to suggest to skilled tennis players to determine their MI preference and to have recourse to the mental simulation of a successful serve before serving the first balls in match condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyze the effects of a training program based on practice variability on the speed and accuracy of the tennis forehand approach to the net shot. The study sample consisted of 35 players of both genders, 22 men and 13 women Cage 44 ± 10.9 years, height 1.73 ± 0.8 cm, and weight 74.7 ± 8,4 kg) Players were randomly distributed into two groups (control group = 18 and experimental group = 17). Both training groups worked a total volume of 4 weeks, seven sessions, and 15 min per session of forehand approach shot. Control group performed traditional training while experimental group trained with variability using wristband weights. The data obtained showed a large Group x Time interaction in the accuracy of the forehand approach shot, F(1, 16) = 28.034, p <.001. η =.637. Only the experimental group increased significantly in the accuracy after the program (51.4%. effect size = 1.3. p < .001). while no changes were achieved regarding hitting speed (1.2%, effect size =0.12, p=.62). The control group did not improve iii any of the tested variables. These results indicate that variability of training using wrist weights is a valid option to improve forehand approach shot accuracy in recreational-level players. Although stroke speed was not increased. this type of training may be interesting as accuracy and technical control is commonly the main goal of training at this level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A forward run-up and stepping are used to accelerate hitting tools or throwing objects in sports. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a forward cross-over step on the speed of a hitting tool by analyzing the joint work and mechanical energy of the whole body and the hitting tool using inverse dynamics. Thirteen advanced tennis players performed forehand groundstrokes at maximum effort with and without a forward cross-over step. From the whole body plus racket perspective, the body-weight-normalized mechanical energy at the start of the hitting motion increased by 1.74 ± 0.42 J·kg-1 due to the cross-over step. However, the increase in the magnitude of total negative joint work, primarily attributed to the lower limbs, was 1.38 ± 0.31 J·kg-1 due to the cross-over step, conventionally regarded as energy absorption. Consequently, the mechanical energy of the whole body plus the racket at ball impact was comparable between the conditions. Nevertheless, from the segmental perspective, the mechanical work performed by the net shoulder joint force of the playing upper limb with the cross-over step during the hitting motion was greater than that without the crossover step. Subsequently, the slight increase in the mechanical energy of the playing upper limb plus racket (0.25 ± 0.21 J·kg-1) resulted in increased racket speed (4.3%). Considering the comparable total mechanical energy and a resultant increase in racket speed, players and coaches should not overestimate the effect of the forward step on racket speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the intricate dynamics of the Junior-to-Senior (JTS) transition phase in elite tennis. Focusing on challenges faced by young talents, the research aims to unveil factors influencing successful transitions and the role of elite junior tournaments. In a retrospective analysis, male tennis players (n = 240) from national teams in the ITF World Junior Tennis Finals tournament (2012–2016) were analyzed using Chi-square tests, Cramer's V, Bayesian statistics, and Multinomial Logistic Regression (MLR). Results revealed that 62.1% of elite junior participants were found in the Association of Tennis Professionals database, emphasizing the significance of team nominations and tournament results as important variables to monitor. Inferential and Bayesian statistics confirmed robustness, with MLR highlighting tournament results' importance. The findings highlight the complexities of the JTS transition and underscore the pivotal roles of participation, national team nominations, and tournament results. The study recommends the implementation of comprehensive player development programs, urging strategic team selections by national federations and academies. Coaches, stakeholders, and organizations should prioritize monitoring these variables for early talent identification and support. These measures collectively aim to optimize success trajectories, navigating the critical JTS phase in junior tennis players' sporting careers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to determine the differences between tennis players and untrained peers in the development of upper limb proprioception in 10–15-year-olds. A group of 67 girls (12.75 ± 1.46 years old), including 33 tennis players and 34 age-matched untrained controls, was divided into three age groups: A1, 10–11-years-old; A2, 12–13-years-old; and A3, 14–15-years-old. Joint position sense (JPS) and force sense (FS) were assessed by reproducing memorized target angle or torque value of three joints: glenohumeral, elbow, and radiocarpal. The JPS error for the elbow joint in group A1 was 71% and 80% higher (p < 0.01) than that in groups A2 and A3, respectively, and the performance of all tennis players was 27.5% (p = 0.01) better than that of untrained controls. For FS, proprioception of only the more demanding task tested (reproduction of 50% maximal voluntary contraction) and specific function (elbow and radiocarpal extension, and glenohumeral internal rotation) showed development with age. The error values for elbow extension (A1, A2) and the glenohumeral joint (A3) of tennis players were lower than those of age-matched controls. We conclude that the development of FS in the upper limb varied and was related to the specific functions and joints. The 10–13-year-old tennis players showed elbow extensor FS performance at the level of the older participants, while the 14–15-year-old tennis players were characterized with superior FS internal rotation performance in the glenohumeral joint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to analyze the news media discourse around menstruation in women’s sport by examining news media coverage of two tennis players, Heather Watson and Qinwen Zheng, who attributed their defeat in 2015 and 2022, respectively, to “girls’ things.” Using thematic analysis, the article analyses four themes: (1) breaking the menstrual taboo in sport, (2) specificity and marginalization of the female body, (3) the risk of a leaking body and (4) the wider context beyond the world of sport. The analyzed discourse is part of the broader changes observed since the mid-2010s regarding the greater presence of menstruation in public discourse. The most significant difference between the 2015 and 2022 corpora lies in the framing of menstruation as taboo. Whereas an open statement about menstruation in 2015 was perceived as something both brave and shocking, such discourse was practically absent in 2022. Despite this change, this discourse illustrates the tension between the public exposure of menstruation alongside efforts aimed at keeping it hidden. It can be read in the framework of neoliberal feminism by emphasizing the privileging of the male body and the current product-focused menstrual activism by highlighting the need to keep menstruation invisible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This research investigated the pre-, per- and post cooling strategies used by competitive tennis players from various levels of play who occasionally train and compete in hot (>28°C) and humid (>60% rH), and dry (<60% rH) environments. Methods: 129 male tennis players (Mage = 24.9) competing at regional (N = 54), national (N = 30) and international (N = 45) levels, completed an online questionnaire regarding their use (i.e., timing, type, justification and effectiveness) of pre- (i.e., before practice), per- (i.e., during exercise) and post-cooling strategies when playing tennis in hot dry (HD) and hot humid (HH) conditions. Individual follow-up interviews were also carried on 3 participants to gain an in-depth understanding of the player's experience. Results: Competitive tennis players used both internal and external cooling strategies to combat the negative effects of HD and HH conditions, but considered the HH to be more stressful than HD and experienced more heatrelated illness in HH environments. International players used cold packs and cold towel more frequently than the regional and national players in hot environments, and used cold water immersion and cold vest more frequently than the latter in HH. Differences in strategy use were mostly observed during per-cooling where regional and national players more frequently used cold drinks than international players who more frequently used cold packs in HD and cold towel in HH conditions. Moreover the latter more frequently used cold towel, cold packs and cold water immersion as post-cooling strategies than regional players. Conclusion: When playing tennis in the heat, it is strongly recommended to employ cooling strategies to maintain health, limit declines in performance, and promote recovery. We also recommend improving education regarding the appropriate use and effectiveness of cooling strategies, and increasing their availability in tournaments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Tennis is characterised by repetitive serves and strokes predominately performed with one arm. This can lead to differences in upper quarter mobility/stability between the stroke and non-stroke arm, which could even enlarge with increasing training experience and negatively affect serve velocity. Thus, we determined side differences (i.e., limb symmetry index) in upper quarter mobility/stability and their association with flat and slice serve velocity in advanced (ITN ≤ 4) female and male tennis players (N = 42, mean age = 23.9 ± 9.3 years) with different levels of training experience (< 2 years: n = 14, 2–5 years: n = 17, 6–8 years: n = 11). Results: Y Balance Test-Upper Quarter (YBT-UQ) side difference (i.e., composite score) and performances (i.e., medial reach) were largest in players with the lowest level of training experience (i.e., < 2 years). Further, YBT-UQ performances (i.e., medial reach and composite score) but not side differences were significantly correlated with flat and slice serve velocity, particularly in less experienced players. Our results suggest that significant side differences in upper quarter mobility/stability occur in less experienced players (indicative of increased injury risk) but they are not related to tennis-specific performance (i.e., serve velocity). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Functional training mimics the coordinated motions of multiple muscle groups and joints performed during exercise. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a 12-week functional training and traditional resistance training on the performance in junior tennis players. Methods: Trained tennis players (mean age: 16.6 years) were assigned to a traditional training group (n = 20) or functional training group (n = 20). The traditional training group received a resistance training program by their coach, while the functional training group was given Santana's Racket Sport Program. At baseline, after six weeks, and after 12 weeks (T12), the participants' tennis-specific physical fitness and functional movement screen (FMS) were evaluated. Results: At T12, both training improved the values for multistage fitness test, hexagon test, planned agility test, sit and reach, and 20 metre sprint (p < 0.05); except the flexibility, functional training provided no additional advantages. At T12, functional training enhanced (p < 0.01) all seven components of the FMS, and there is a 100% probability that the total score of the FMS would be enhanced. In contrast, for the traditional training group, shoulder mobility of the FMS decreased (p = 0.03), and there was no changes in other FMS components at T12. Conclusions: Functional training is not only effective in improving tennis-specific physical fitness, but it also provides greater functional movement advantages for junior tennis players compared to traditional resistance training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Despite a growing number of young adults developing skin cancers, little is known about the sun‐protective behavior of high school athletes exposed to high levels of UV radiation, such as junior tennis players. To investigate the frequency and quality of their sun protective behaviors, a web‐based, anonymous survey was conducted among tennis players at high school varsity matches and United States Tennis Association tournaments in Southern California. Although 92.6% of the 81 respondents indicated they play during peak sun intensity hours, 46.9% stated they do not regularly wear sunscreen, 27.2% do not routinely wear hats or visors, only 9.9% wear protective eyewear, and 4.9% wear UV‐protective clothing; furthermore, 87.5% of junior tennis players stated they are not very familiar with skin cancer, but 73.8% would like to learn more about it. The results of this study demonstrate a lack of consistent sun protective behavior among junior tennis players, providing a rationale for the development of targeted educational campaigns to increase skin cancer risk awareness and more effective sun‐protective behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To date, no longitudinal studies of quarterly changes have been conducted on the differences in the development of motor coordination between boys and girls in relation to changes in their tennis skills level. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the development of motor coordination of 10–12-year-old tennis players over the course of 1 year, in the light of changes in tennis skills preparation. Methods: One-hundred eighty male and female tennis players aged 10, 11, or 12 years old participated in the study. Each age group comprised 30 boys and 30 girls. To investigate their motor coordination development, a battery of general tests (simple reaction, complex reaction, Spalding test, spider test, hexagon jumping, Starosta's test, hand–eye test, balance, plate tapping, jump rope) and specific tennis skills tests (wall game and 100-tennis ball tests) were performed 4 times quarterly over 1 year. Differences between sexes and the time points were assessed. The rate of development evaluation was based on beta coefficient of linear regression. Results: Boys generally performed better in tennis skills tests than girls. The boys performed better also in one motor coordination test (Spalding test) among 10-year-olds, in two additional tests (spider and plate tapping tests) among 11-year-olds, and another three more tests (simple reaction, complex reaction and Starosta's tests) among 12-year-olds. Jump rope test among 10-year-olds and hexagon jump test among 12-year-olds were the only tests where girls performed better than boys. On the other hand, girls showed higher rate of development in balance and complex reaction tests than boys. Conclusions: We conclude that motor coordination and tennis skills development over 1 year is age-, sex-, and task-dependent, with the 10–12-year-old male tennis players performing better in tennis skills and overall motor coordination than females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aims of this study were to examine the learning of anticipation skill in the presence of kinematic and outcome probabilities information, and to see if this learning exhibited characteristics of Bayesian integration. Method: Participants with no competitive tennis playing experience watched tennis player stimuli playing forehand tennis shots and were tasked with predicted shot outcomes. Accuracy, response times and perceived task effort were recorded, pre, post and during four acquisition blocks where outcome feedback was provided. In both Experiment 1 and 2, kinematic information about shot direction was either present in the training group stimuli or absent. In Experiment 1, left/right shot probability information remained equi-probable for both groups. In Experiment 2, both groups also trained with a bias in the shot outcome probability toward one shot direction on 80% of the trials across acquisition blocks (and were not told about this manipulation). Results: Pre-to-post anticipation performance improved in the presence of kinematic (EXP 1) or both information sources (EXP 2). Pre-to-post improvements in the presence of shot outcome probability information were congruent with the bias in the shot direction trained (EXP 2). Superior anticipation performance was found when both information sources were present. The presence of kinematic information resulted in increased perceived effort during early training (EXP 1 & 2). Bayesian odds ratios indicated that shot direction probabilities and kinematic information were integrated during anticipation skill learning. Conclusion: Learning with shot direction probabilities and kinematic information shows characteristics of Bayesian integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The purpose of the present study was to assess whether the recognition of tennis players' affective state associated with their nonverbal behavior would be influenced by (a) the importance of the situation, (b) the point outcome, and (c) the tennis expertise of the observer. Two hundred sixty-nine participants (Mage = 30.51 years; 116 female; 79 tennis club members) watched video excerpts showing the nonverbal behavior of amateur tennis players during competitive matches immediately after the end of a rally and were asked to estimate whether the player had just won or lost the point. Results indicate that the recognition rates were higher for situations closer to the end of a game, closer to the end of a set, and with a tighter score during a game. Moreover, recognition rates were higher for lost than for won points, while the tennis expertise of participants had no influence on the recognition rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Analgesic medication (i.e., painkillers) provides a legal method for athletes to compete through pain. Masking injury presents the risk of injury exacerbation as well as potential organ damage, long-term musculoskeletal conditions, and dependence. The framing of elite athletes using medication to compete through injury could influence the attitudes and behaviors of other sportspersons including junior and recreational participants. This research explored the framing of tennis player Rafael Nadal's anesthetic injections at the 2022 French Open via content analysis of 103 news articles. The results revealed global news lacked critical coverage, normalized competing through injury under moral frames, and valorized such behavior as heroic and courageous. Further, news coverage can be classified into four types: individual experience, medical, physical status, and policy. Identification of frames related to competing through injury can inform messaging to promote safer practices concerning painkiller use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Knee injuries are prevalent among professional tennis players and have a significant impact on their athletic performance and longevity. This study aimed to evaluate the dynamic and postural balance differences between injured and healthy professional tennis players, reflecting the broader implications of knee injuries on player stability and performance. Materials and methods. A total of 80 professional tennis players, comprising 40 individuals in the knee injury group (IG) and 40 individuals in the non-injury group (NIG), were selected to participate in this cross-sectional study. Participants’ postural sway was assessed under various conditions, including standing on different surfaces with open and closed eyes using a Wii Balance Board. The Y-Balance Test was performed to evaluate the player’s dynamic balance. An Independent t-test was used to examine the difference in postural sway and dynamic balance between the two groups. Results. The results of this study indicated that players with knee injuries showed significantly worse performance in both dynamic balance (p

Assessing bilateral differences in paired anthropometric features is an important methodological problem in sports anthropology. The present study included 128 adolescent female athletes (59 rhythmic gymnasts, 58 tennis players, and 11 swimmers). Body composition components were determined using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance measurements (analyzer InBody 170). Asymmetry coefficients of muscle and fat mass accumulation in the upper (AA) and lower (AL) limbs were calculated using the Nacheva` equation (1986). The percentiles method was applied to distribute the bilaterally studied anthropometric features according to the mean values of the units of asymmetry (UA). Wilkoxon-test was used to assess the statistically significant differences in paired variables. Kruskal-Wallis test was applied to determine the differences in UA between three assessed athlete groups, depending on their age. The differences in body composition components between rhythmic gymnasts (RG), tennis players (TP), and swimmers (SW) were well expressed in all assessed age groups. The most considerable inter-group differences were observed in terms of the asymmetry coefficient in the lean body mass (LBM) with a right direction and body fat mass with a left direction for upper limb fat mass (%, kg), which have signed the highest values in the tennis players group, followed by the RG on the same age. Swimmers had significantly the lowest values of UA for all body segments. A close relation was found between asymmetry in body composition variables and the type of sports activity. Tennis was found as a sport with more pronounced inter-limbs asymmetry.

A tiebreak in tennis is one of the critical moments where players are expected to excel under mental pressure and maintain high level of performance. Despite the importance of tiebreak points, research exploring the performance of male and female players during such match phrase remains limited. This study aimed to investigate i) the overall tiebreak performance of male and female players in relation to the outcome, ii) to examine their point-level performance by considering different contextual variables. A total of 535 tiebreaks comprising 6380 points from the 2016–2021 US Open men’s and women’s singles matches were collected. The difference in match performance between winning and losing players within the entire tiebreak game was explored. A subsequent decision tree analysis was then used to analyse the effect of the contextual and performance variables on tiebreak point-by-point outcome. The results showed that male and female Winning players outperformed the Losing players in 1st Serve, Serve Width and Net approach performance. The analysis of point-level performance showed that Net point, Score scene, and Point server substantially impacted tennis players’ tiebreak outcome. These findings provide valuable insight for coaches and players, informing tiebreak tactics tailoring and training in relevance to different match status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is known that different types of music used during sports performance has different psycho-physiological effects. In this context, this study aimed to reveal the effect of different types of music on ITN test performance in tennis players. A total of 35 recreational tennis players voluntarily participated in the study. In the research, the ITN test performance of tennis players was measured in three different conditions with 48-hour intervals, these being without music, with motivational music, and with sedative music. The Freidman test was used in the analysis of the data that did not show a normal distribution, and the Repeated Measures ANOVA test was used in the analysis of the data that showed a normal distribution. According to the main findings of the study, it was determined that motivational music increased the ITN test performance of tennis players, while sedative music decreased their ITN test performance (p<.05). Additionally, it was determined that motivational music increased the groundstroke depth scores of tennis players, while sedative music decreased groundstroke depth scores (p<.05). In addition to this, it was determined that volley depth, groundstroke accuracy, and serve scores increased through motivational music (p<.05), whereas sedative music had no effect (p>.05). As a result, it was determined that the ITN test performances of tennis players can be increased through the psycho-physiological effect of motivational music. It can therefore be concluded that the use of motivational music during training and matches (between sets and/or time breaks) of tennis players can increase their shooting performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The tennis serve is commonly executed in high-pressure scenarios, often leading to performance decline; a condition commonly referred to as choking under pressure. One suggested effective method to avert choking involves contracting the left hand. We examined the effects of left-hand contraction on tennis serve performance using a wearable grasping material (polyurethane foam) which can be incorporated into sportswear. Materials and methods: We assigned 40 right-handed skilled tennis players to either the contraction group (n = 20) or the no-contraction group (n = 20). They were instructed to perform a second-serve task during the pre-test and pressure test. The participants in the contraction group squeezed the grasping material for 20 s before executing the task in the pressure test. We measured performance, including total scores, the number of maximum score achievements, landing positions, and kinematic indices (i.e., ball speed, racket speed, and impact height). Results: Although neither group demonstrated deteriorated performance on the pressure test, the contraction group experienced an increased number of maximum score achievements under the pressure situation compared with the pre-test (p = 0.021). Discussion: Our results suggest that when under pressure, left-hand contraction may improve performance during tennis serves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tennis is an individual sport characterised by high-intensity action, including sprints and changes of direction (COD). However, there is a gap in the knowledge of limb asymmetries in adolescent tennis players and their association with performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between asymmetry in vertical and horizontal jump tests (CMJ and HJ) and COD with lower limb performance variables in adolescent tennis players. Forty-five adolescent tennis players (age: 13.81 ± 1.08 years; height: 167.64 ± 9.9 cm; body mass: 57.48 ± 10.94 kg; body mass index: 20.27 ± 2.18 kg/m2) performed the CMJ test (unilateral and bilateral), horizontal jumps (unilateral and bilateral), 25 m sprint, and 180° COD test. The single-leg countermovement jump showed the greatest asymmetries among the different tests (6.62 ± 9.35%). Notable negative relationships were found between CMJ asymmetry and COD asymmetry with unilateral horizontal jump variables (r = −0.30 to −0.53). In addition, CMJ asymmetry showed notable relationships with CMJR (r = 0.49) and COD180R (r = 0.29), whereas COD asymmetry showed a notable relationship with COD180L (r = 0.40). On the other hand, HJ asymmetry showed no notable relationships with any variable. The main findings of this study indicate that greater imbalances in the CMJ and COD tests are associated with a reduced capacity to perform unilateral horizontal jumps. These results suggest the incorporation of training protocols to reduce interlimb asymmetries in growing athletes to improve their performance. This practical application is important for coaches and physical trainers who aim to improve the physical performance of adolescent tennis players. Greater asymmetry results in a reduced ability to produce unilateral horizontal force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Knee injuries are prevalent among professional tennis players and have a significant impact on their athletic performance and longevity. This study aimed to evaluate the dynamic and postural balance differences between injured and healthy professional tennis players, reflecting the broader implications of knee injuries on player stability and performance. Materials and methods. A total of 80 professional tennis players, comprising 40 individuals in the knee injury group (IG) and 40 individuals in the non-injury group (NIG), were selected to participate in this cross-sectional study. Participants’ postural sway was assessed under various conditions, including standing on different surfaces with open and closed eyes using a Wii Balance Board. The Y-Balance Test was performed to evaluate the player’s dynamic balance. An Independent t-test was used to examine the difference in postural sway and dynamic balance between the two groups. Results. The results of this study indicated that players with knee injuries showed significantly worse performance in both dynamic balance (p < 0.05 for non-dominant legs) and postural sway (significant differences in mean velocity on foam surfaces with eyes open and closed, p < 0.001). These findings suggest that knee injuries contribute to substantial deficits in balance control, which could affect overall athletic performance and injury risk. Conclusion. The study underscores the necessity of incorporating targeted balance and proprioceptive training into rehabilitation programs for tennis players recovering from knee injuries. By improving balance, these interventions can enhance neuromuscular control, reduce reinjury risk, and support better overall performance in high-stakes environments. Future research should focus on refining balance training programs to maximize recovery outcomes and minimize injury impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, forty athletes aged 14-16 from Kunming "Wangdong Wangshi" Tennis Club were selected as research participants. Several methods were used in this study, such as literature review, teaching experiment and statistical method, combined with the author's tennis teaching and training experience to conclude whether the tennis serve -- machine can or cannot improve the teaching quality of the athletes' volley technique. After reviewing the relevant literature and three months of teaching experiments, a conclusion was drawn that the tennis serve-machine can improve the teaching quality of the athletes' volley technique. However, the tennis serve-machine is not sophisticated enough and has several limitations as discussed in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine how imagery ability could affect service improvement, following pre-performance motor imagery (MI) intervention, in young novice tennis players. Participants were divided into 3 groups with regard to their MI ability scores (Poor imager, Good imager and Control groups) obtained on the Movement Imagery Questionnaire for Children. During a pre-test, participants performed 10 services. The pre-performance MI practice was included during physical practice for 24 sessions. Each session consisted of 20 services, which were first imagined and then physically performed. Participants of the Poor and Good imager groups were required to use external visual MI, while those of the control group were given a countdown task. Participants performed an intermediate-test, after a first block of 12 practice sessions, and a post-test one-week after the last block of practice session, which were identical to the pre-test. The results of this study showed that MI improved service performance (i.e., percentage of success, speed and efficiency), and that this improvement was faster in the Good imager than in the Poor imager group. More specifically, The Poor imager group required more MI interventions to achieve equivalent performance to Good imager group. The impact of MI practice on service performance, for novice tennis players, is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this systematic review is to provide an evidence-based synthesis of the literature on the topic of technical and tactical competencies of tennis players and to answer the following research questions: (1) What is the state of the art of research on technical and tactical competencies (i.e., skills and knowledge) and tennis; (2) What are the most important topics related to technical and tactical competencies in tennis players. Methods: Electronic searches were conducted in Web of Science, PubMED and SPORTDiscus (August to September 2023). This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. To reduce risk, all published literature was searched and primary studies were included. The search terms included skills or competencies, match or play, player and tennis and excluded studies on non-competitive tennis players--notation analysis, AI method, systematic review and validation of tools. Results and discussion: Of the 390 publications found in these searches, 13 articles were considered relevant and included in this study. They were divided into three categories: (1) technical-tactical skills, (2) match situations and (3) match performance. There was clear evidence that there is a test instrument for analyzing tactical-technical skills that has sufficient reliability and validity and is of practical value to tennis coaches. The development of tacticaltechnical skills is influenced by method (variability between/within skills), conditions (court size, ball type) and areas of development (situational awareness, anticipation, decision making). There are differences in match and stroke performance between different quality groups (professionals, juniors), which can also be influenced by mental strength. For a comprehensive study of tennis players' abilities, the use of modern technologies is possible and necessary in the future. Future research should focus on the creation of competency models for the playing level of tennis players, which could include at least three key elements: (1) key competencies, (2) description of standards, (3) evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to provide an overview of kinematic parameters associated with key points of interest in the tennis serve. The research was conducted according to the PRISMA guideline without date restriction. Google scholar, Science Direct, PubMed/Medline, Mendeley, and Science.gov databases were scanned to find relevant studies. Only English peer-review original article focused on joint body angles at trophy position, racket low point and ball impact were retained. The review, quality appraisal, and data extraction from selected studies were performed independently by two reviewers. A meta-analysis was carried out on the most studied joint parameters. Among the 2,844 records identified, 27 articles were included. The wide variety of methods used required data homogenization for comparison purposes. Trunk inclination (25.0 ± 7.1°) and front knee flexion (64.5 ± 9.7°) were the most studied parameters for trophy position. Shoulder lateral rotation (130.1 ± 26.5°) was systematically evaluated for racket low point. At ball impact, shoulder elevation (110.7 ± 16.9°) and elbow flexion (30.1 ± 15.9°) were the most considered joint angles. The systematic review revealed that many kinematic parameters were not quantified at the various key points of interest. Knowledge of the kinematics is essential for understanding the gesture, implementing training methods, and improving the performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of time of day on technical and physical performance parameters in young female tennis players. A sample of 12 recreational tennis players (age 24.2 ± 3.8 years) were randomly distributed into two groups. After having their demographics (age, experience, chronotypes), they were measured for body mass, body temperature, serve accuracy, serve speed, countermovement jump, grip strength, agility, and linear speed by counterbalancing method on two different days and at two different times of the day (09:00 and 16:30). The main results revealed that the players had significantly (p < 0.01) higher body temperature and greater values in the grip strength test during the afternoon session in comparison to the morning session. On the other hand, no significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed for other physical and technical performance parameters. The findings may highlight that time of day has no significant effects on several tennis-related performance determinants in female recreational players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Bone growth with exercise is best assessed by tennis-induced inter-arm asymmetries. Yet, the effects of training and maturation across puberty were unclear. This study explored arm bone growth across 9 months of training in 46 tennis players 7–14 years (25 boys, 21 girls). Methods: Bone mineral content (BMC) and bone area (BA) were measured from DXA scans. Pubertal status was assessed by Tanner stage (TS) and somatic growth by maturity offset (MO). Children were grouped as pre- (TS I–I), early (TS I–II), and mid/late pubertal (TS II–III). Results: Training time (TT) change in the three groups was 160–170, 190–230, and 200–220 h, respectively. Bone asymmetries were large in all groups (d > 0.8, P < 0.001): 5–18 g (9–21%) and 9–17 g (17–23%) in girls and boys, respectively, for BMC, and 5–15 cm2 (6–13%) and 9–15 cm2 (12–15%) in girls and boys (10–13%), respectively, for BA. BMC and BA change asymmetry peaked at pre-puberty in girls (56%, 46%) and at early puberty in boys (57%, 43%). Asymmetry gains varied with baseline asymmetry (41%) and change in TT (38%) and TS (17%) in BMC, and with baseline asymmetry (58%) and change in MO (17%) and TS (12%) in BA. Conclusion: All bone asymmetries were substantial. Tennis-induced bone gains were higher at pre- to early puberty in girls and at early to mid/late puberty in boys. Training enhanced mostly bone mass and maturity status enhanced mostly bone size; sex was not bone-change modeling impactful. Implications are discussed considering certain limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aimed to analyze the role of job involvement as a mediator in the relationship between tennis coaches' perceived organizational justice and their intention to leave, considering the unique professional context and demands of tennis coaching. Additionally, it sought to identify any generational differences in this model. The research categorizes perceived organizational justice into procedural and distributive justice, and job involvement into job attachment and job commitment. Methods: The study incorporated data from 201 coaches working at commercial tennis facilities nationwide. Perceived organizational justice and job involvement were measured using validated scales. The mediation model was tested using structural equation modeling (SEM), and a multi-group analysis was conducted to identify generational differences. Results: Results indicated that job involvement partially mediated the relationship between perceived organizational justice and turnover intentions, with distributive justice having a stronger total effect. The multi-group analysis revealed generational variances: distributive justice influenced turnover intentions more among the MZ generation, while procedural justice had a greater impact on the older generation. Discussion: These findings offer valuable insights for commercial tennis facilities aiming to reduce turnover and manage generational conflicts. Understanding the differential impacts of procedural and distributive justice on various generations can help tailor strategies to enhance organizational operation and employee retention. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of perceived organizational justice and job involvement in influencing tennis coaches' turnover intentions. The generational differences observed suggest that targeted interventions based on generational characteristics can be effective in reducing turnover and improving organizational stability. Future research should explore other potential mediators and extend the model to different sports and organizational contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to review and describe in detail the coaching practices of the tennis team at the Hikone campus of Shiga University over a period of approximately 20 years from the coaches' perspective, based on the following four aspects: 1) the circumstances surrounding the tennis team in the early 2000s, 2) coaching philosophy and specific goals, 3) coaching practices to improve competitive performance, especially that of the men's team from 2008 to 2011 toward promotion to the second division of the Kansai Intercollegiate Tennis League, and that of the women's team from 2013 to 2016 for competing in the All Japan Intercollegiate Tennis Championships, and 4) coaching practices to improve the human qualities of the team members. The tennis team at the Hikone campus of Shiga University does not offer sports scholarships, and yet the men's team was promoted to the second division of the Kansai Intercollegiate Tennis League and the women's team competed in the All Japan Intercollegiate Tennis Championships. The factors that contributed to the achievement of these extremely high goals are as follows: 1) The team members maintained a high motivation to grow and continued to make enthusiastic efforts to improve their competitive performance and acquire excellent human qualities. 2) By carefully observing and valuing communication with the team members, the coaches were able to provide various forms of support appropriate to the situation at any given time. 3) The successful functioning of coordination and cooperation between the team members and the coaches had a positive effect on competitive performance. In order for tennis players to achieve true competitive performance, it is necessary not only to develop the mind, techniques, strength and tactics required for playing tennis, but also to have the excellent human qualities that will serve as a foundation for this. As a coach, therefore, I hope to continue to provide coaching with a focus on improving both the competitive performance and the human qualities of tennis team members, while valuing their independence and self-initiative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In women's tennis, fluctuating competitive performance is a prevalent issue, studying it can reveal new ways to monitor and adjust competitive performance. Based on the model of competitive ability, this study examines the fluctuating phenomenon of the competitive performance of Chinese women's singles tennis players. Using questionnaires and interviews to investigate women's singles tennis players who participated in the National competition and the China Tennis Tour. Through empirical study, it was found that in the rising phase, matching sports intelligence with mental state is the primary factor for athletes to achieve an advantage; in the flattening phase, mental state becomes the "amplifier" to break the critical point in the competitive stalemate; in the falling phase, physical ability is the cornerstone for athletes to recover the score when behind the opponent. Therefore, athletes can timely adjust and optimize the key factors that affect competitive performance according to the competition phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is firmly established that achieving a high ball speed during the execution of groundstrokes represents a relevant factor for success in tennis. However, little is known about how plantar pressure changes as post-impact ball speed is increased during open and square stance groundstrokes. The objective of the study was to determine how tennis players change the plantar pressure in each foot when they execute open versus square stance forehand groundstrokes in order to increase post-impact ball speed. Methods: Fifteen healthy female tennis players with ITN 2 or better (mean age: 22.7 ± 7.8 years) participated in this study. The players performed open and square stance longline forehand groundstrokes (topspin) at the following four post-impact ball speed levels: 80 km/h, 90 km/h, 100 km/h, and vmax. Flexible pressure-detecting insoles were used to measure plantar pressure in each foot [i.e., dominant (equals the stroke arm) and nondominant]. Results: The repeated measures ANOVA showed significant stance style × foot dominance interactions and post-hoc analyses revealed larger maximal and mean forces during open compared to square stance for the dominant but not non-dominant foot. Further, the ball speed × stance style × foot dominance interaction reached the level of significance and post-hoc analyses showed increased/decreased mean forces in the dominant/non-dominant foot during the square but not open stance when players increased their post-impact ball speed. Conclusion: Larger values in the open stance, but post-impact ball speed-adjusted values in square stance indicate different advantages in both styles, suggesting their situation-specific application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demands of professional tennis, including physical and psychological aspects, contribute to the frequency of retirements at elite levels of the sport. The aim of this study was to analyze epidemiological patterns and risk factors associated with retirements in previous ATP and WTA Tour tournaments. A retrospective cohort study was conducted. This study focused on previous ATP and WTA Tour tournaments. The ATP database encompassed 584,806 matches, while the WTA database included 267,380 matches. To assess retirements, potential risk factors such as playing surface, tournament category, match round, and player age were analyzed. Incidence rates were calculated for the period between 1978–2019 for men and 1994–2018 for women. The overall incidence rate was 1.56 (95%CI: 1.54, 1.59) and 1.36 (95%CI: 1.33, 1.39) retirements per 1000 games played in male and female competitions, respectively. Retirements increased over the years. Higher incidence rates were observed on hard (1.59 [95%CI: 1.56, 1.63] and 1.39 [95%CI: 1.34, 1.44]) and clay (1.60 [95%CI: 1.57, 1.63] and 1.36 [95%CI: 1.32, 1.41]) compared to grass courts (0.79 [95%CI: 0.65, 0.94] and 1.06 [95%CI: 0.88, 1.27]). Risk factors differed by gender, with tournament category significant in males (IRR: 1.23 [95%CI: 1.19, 1.28] in ITF vs ATP) and match round in females (IRR: 0.92 [95%CI: 0.88, 0.98] in preliminary vs final). This study provides valuable insights for coaches, players, support teams, and epidemiologists regarding retirements and associated risk factors in previous ATP and WTA Tour tournaments, contributing to injury prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effect of self-controlled video feedback on the learning of tactical motor skills in tennis, and additionally, whether this was affected by learners' self-efficacy and self-regulative skills. Method: Twenty-three intermediately skilled tennis players were assigned to either a self-controlled group that was provided video feedback on request or a yoked group that received an identical, externally controlled video feedback schedule. In three training sessions participants practiced serve and volley play. Video feedback with attentional cueing and transitional statements that focused solely on individual tactical gameplay was provided by a licensed tennis coach. Individual tactical performance was measured with a custom designed Tactical Tennis Tool (TTT) in a pretest, posttest and in a one-week retention test. Before each test self-efficacy was measured, and a questionnaire was administered to measure self-regulative skills. Results: Analyses revealed significantly larger improvements in tactical performance relative to the pretest for the self-controlled group than for the yoked group in both the posttest and the one-week retention test. No differences were found in self-efficacy. Finally, the improvements in tactical performance were not predicted by self-efficacy and/or self-regulative skills. Conclusion: The advantage of self-controlled video feedback extends to the learning of a complex tactical task in tennis. Future research should verify the observed benefits of a self-controlled learning environment in comparison to a coach-controlled learning environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The study aims to comprehensively analyze the existing literature on the relationship between biomechanics and tennis performance, with a particular focus on enhancing Olympic accomplishment. Materials and methods. Scopus was used to search three fields in each record: (1) Author's name, (2) Journal Name where the paper was published, (3) Total citations. Bibliometric analysis was employed as a component of the analysis. To obtain a comprehensive and accurate understanding, the data was analyzed and interpreted using several methods of data triangulation. VOSviewer software was applied to generate distance-based co-occurrence maps for bibliometric analysis and synthesis. The terms extracted from keywords, titles, and abstracts were categorized and organized based on their level of interconnectedness. The keywords "Biomechanics" and "tennis performance" are commonly employed in the study, and their meanings are often interpreted in different settings. The search yielded 240 papers and 6137 citations, which were used in the study conducted between 2000 and 2024. Results. The study's findings identified "key authors, countries, and subject areas" contributing to the field of biomechanics research in tennis, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and future research directions. Conclusions. In conclusion, the study provides a foundation for continued research and innovation in championing Olympic excellence through biomechanics research in tennis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the increasing academic interest in match-fixing, little is known about the behavioral determinants of this phenomenon. This study applies key theoretical concepts of situational action theory (SAT) to sportspersons' decision-making process when confronted with sports-related match-fixing (SRMF) propositions. Using a factorial survey, amateur football players (n = 661), and tennis players (n = 609) in Flanders (Belgium) were asked to evaluate hypothetical realistic situations containing match-fixing propositions. Our results show that sportspersons' crime propensity, mostly determined by their moral judgment of SRMF and self-control, and their levels of temptation, together with a number of SAT interactions, were the best predictors of SRMF as a form of sports-related rule breaking. We conclude that SAT provides a valuable theoretical framework to study fraud in sports phenomena such as SRMF, and that factorial surveys have great potential to allow researchers to reach beyond the risk factor stage of research, to efficiently inform prevention initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Success in sports is a complex phenomenon that has only garnered limited research attention. In particular, we lack a deep scientific understanding of success in sports like tennis and the factors that contribute to it. Here, we study the unfolding of tennis players' careers to understand the role of early career stages and the impact of specific tournaments on players' trajectories. We employ a comprehensive approach combining network science and analysis of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) tournament data and introduce a novel method to quantify tournament prestige based on the eigenvector centrality of the co-attendance network of tournaments. Focusing on the interplay between participation in central tournaments and players' performance, we find that the level of the tournament where players achieve their first win is associated with becoming a top player. This work sheds light on the critical role of the initial stages in the progression of players' careers, offering valuable insights into the dynamics of success in tennis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The epidemiology of musculoskeletal injuries at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and US Open tennis tournaments has been investigated in recent studies; however, there is no published literature on the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries at the French Open. Purpose: To describe the incidence, location, and type of musculoskeletal injuries in tennis players during the French Open tournament from 2011 to 2022. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: A review was performed of all injuries documented by a multidisciplinary medical team during the French Open from 2011 to 2022. All musculoskeletal injuries that occurred during the main draw of the female and male singles or doubles matches were included. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Injury locations were grouped into regions as well as into upper limb, trunk, and lower limb. Results: In total, there were 750 injuries in 687 tennis players, resulting in a mean of 62.5 injuries per tournament; however, there were no obvious trends in injury incidence over the time frame evaluated. The number of injuries in female and male players was similar (392 vs 358, respectively). The most common injury regions were the thigh/hip/pelvis (n = 156), ankle/foot (n = 114), and spine (n = 103). The most common injury types were muscle-related (n = 244), tendon-related (n = 207), and joint-related (n = 163), and the most affected muscles were the adductors (n = 45), rectus abdominis (n = 38), and lumbar muscles (n = 25). Conclusion: Over the 12-year period from 2011 to 2022 female and male players experienced similar numbers of musculoskeletal injuries, with most injuries occurring in the lower limbs compared with the upper limbs and trunk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the viability of securitizing the professional athlete earnings of college tennis players choosing to pursue a professional career. The authors simulate the investment performance of securitized portfolios of tennis players on both a random basis and an informed basis. Historically, only 17% of college players who turn professional make a profit after expenses. They find that randomly selected portfolios of college tennis players have limited profit potential for investors, even after including generous estimates of endorsement income. This stands in contrast to the profitability of securitizing high-profile professional athletes with established brand values (in which endorsement income is very important). The authors explore the use of an informed selection of tennis professionals to form securitized portfolios. Informed selection substantially enhances the profitability of portfolios of players based even on simple metrics, such as their college rankings. They also explore the use of machine-learning selection models to form portfolios of securitized tennis players. However, they found no financial benefit of machine-learning selection models beyond the use of a simple selection criteria based on college ranking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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