The effect of ball compression on the match-play characteristics of elite junior tennis players

Purpose:High-performance tennis environments aim to prepare athletes for competitive demands through simulated-match scenarios and drills. With a dearth of direct comparisons between training and tournament demands, the current investigation compared the perceptual and technical characteristics of training drills, simulated match play, and tournament matches.Methods:Data were collected from 18 high-performance junior tennis players (gender: 10 male, 8 female; age 16 ± 1.1 y) during 6 ± 2 drill-based training sessions, 5 ± 2 simulated match-play sessions, and 5 ± 3 tournament matches from each participant. Tournament matches were further distinguished by win or loss and against seeded or nonseeded opponents. Notational analysis of stroke and error rates, winners, and serves, along with rating of perceived physical exertion (RPE) and mental exertion was measured postsession.Results:Repeated-measures analyses of variance and effect-size analysis revealed that training sessions were significantly shorter in duration than tournament matches (P < .05, d = 1.18). RPEs during training and simulated matchplay sessions were lower than in tournaments (P > .05; d = 1.26, d = 1.05, respectively). Mental exertion in training was lower than in both simulated match play and tournaments (P > .05; d = 1.10, d = 0.86, respectively). Stroke rates during tournaments exceeded those observed in training (P < .05, d = 3.41) and simulated-match-play (P < .05, d = 1.22) sessions. Furthermore, the serve was used more during tournaments than simulated match play (P < .05, d = 4.28), while errors and winners were similar independent of setting (P > .05, d < 0.80).Conclusions:Training in the form of drills or simulated match play appeared to inadequately replicate tournament demands in this cohort of players. Coaches should be mindful of match demands to best prescribe sessions of relevant duration, as well as internal (RPE) and technical (stroke rate) load, to aid tournament preparation.

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Practical implications for utilizing more approach shots in match situations

ITF Coaching & Sport Science Review ◽

10.52383/itfcoaching.v25i71.219 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (71) ◽

pp. 6-8

Author(s):

Hadi Darvishomrani

Keyword(s):

Match Play ◽

Service Line ◽

Tennis Players ◽

Junior Tennis ◽

Practical Implications

Wanting to win a tournament increases the stress on all athletes. Ability of utilizing different strategies in sports, specially under match-situation’s pressure, is important. Changing the rhythm of game (e.g. moving from baseline to service line) can be one of these strategies. Approaching to the net could be very useful among junior tennis players, although not many of junior tennis players do not use this tactic when they have to do it. This article mentions some reasons and implications for approaching to the net during a match play.

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The Sony Smart Tennis Sensor accurately measures external workload in junior tennis players

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching ◽

10.1177/1747954118805278 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 24-31 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

NL Myers ◽

WB Kibler ◽

AH Axtell ◽

TL Uhl

Keyword(s):

Measurement Accuracy ◽

Visual Observation ◽

Match Play ◽

Ball Speed ◽

Tennis Players ◽

Speed Measurement ◽

Junior Tennis ◽

Shot Type ◽

Stroke Type ◽

Over Time

This study determined the measurement accuracy of the Sony Smart Tennis Sensor (SSTS) when categorizing hitting volume, shot type, and ball speed, and to determine the average number of shots performed by junior players during practice and match play. Fourteen high school players (16 ± 3 years, 12 males, 2 females) were followed for a period of six weeks. Criterion validity was established by comparing video and observational data to the SSTS data in order to determine the hitting volume, stroke type, and ball speed measurement accuracy of the sensor. Additionally, each player’s hitting volume and stroke type were tracked for six weeks using the SSTS. Strokes were categorized into forehand swings, backhand swings, overhead swings, and total volume. Hitting volume accuracy ranged between 91% and 96% for all forehand, backhand, and overhead swings. All backhand and overhead swings were identified correctly by the SSTS when compared to visual observation. There was a 10% error rate in forehand swing shot identification. Approximately 50%, 30%, and 20% of the total volume of strokes are FHs, BHs, and serves, respectively, regardless of practice or match play. The SSTS is an accurate way of measuring hitting volume in tennis and can be used by coaches to track practice and match volume over time. Monitoring workloads over time can help prepare players for rigorous competition schedules.

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PETTLEP imagery and tennis service performance: an applied investigation

Journal of Imagery Research in Sport and Physical Activity ◽

10.1515/jirspa-2019-0013 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Nafih Cherappurath ◽

Masilamani Elayaraja ◽

Dilshith A. Kabeer ◽

Amila Anjum ◽

Paris Vogazianos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Age Groups ◽

Training Session ◽

Performance Outcomes ◽

Service Performance ◽

Control Group ◽

Specific Training ◽

Tennis Players ◽

Imagery Training ◽

Before And After ◽

Junior Tennis

AbstractTennis is one of the most popular and widely played sports enjoyed by players of different age groups and genders as a profession as well as a mode of recreation. A novel method, PETTLEP imagery combines both conventional and non-conventional style of training of an athlete and improves one’s performance. This study aimed to analyze the tennis service performance of junior tennis players based on PETTLEP imagery training. Forty-four junior male tennis players (Mage=13.22 years, SD=0.42) were selected for the study. The investigator handed over the MIQ-R questionnaire to all the participants in which they scored 16 and above points as per previous research. The participants were equally divided (n=11) into three experimental groups (E1, E2, and E3) and a control group. The service performance outcomes of all the players were compared before and after a training session. The three experimental groups were assigned with service-specific training, service-specific training combined with PETTLEP imagery training, and PETTLEP imagery training alone, respectively, for three days per week for 12 weeks. They were tested on their service accuracy based on the International tennis number (ITN) manual on-court assessment test. The data were assessed for normality and analyzed using non-parametric methods to reveal main effects (each training method alone) as well as to calculate the combined effect of PETTLEP and service-specific training. Certain significant improvements in tennis service were observed with service-specific training alone. Though it marginally outperformed the PETTLEP imagery method, the most improved services were observed with both PETTLEP and service-specific training utilized together. This implies an additive effect when both methods are used together.

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Effect of Long-Term Unilateral Activity on Bone Mineral Density of Female Junior Tennis Players

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research ◽

10.1359/jbmr.1998.13.2.310 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 310-319 ◽

Cited By ~ 195

Author(s):

Heidi Haapasalo ◽

Pekka Kannus ◽

Harri Sievänen ◽

Matti Pasanen ◽

Kirsti Uusi-Rasi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Mineral Density ◽

Bone Mineral ◽

Mineral Density ◽

Tennis Players ◽

Junior Tennis

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Acute Sleep Restriction Affects Sport-Specific But Not Athletic Performance in Junior Tennis Players

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2020-0390 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Jacopo A. Vitale ◽

Matteo Bonato ◽

Lorenzo Petrucci ◽

Giorgio Zucca ◽

Antonio La Torre ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Athletic Performance ◽

Test Session ◽

Sleep Restriction ◽

Test Procedures ◽

Ability Test ◽

Tennis Players ◽

Individual Level ◽

Testing Procedures ◽

Junior Tennis ◽

Left And Right

Purpose: Little is known about the effect of sleep restriction (SR) on different domains of athletes’ physical performance. Therefore, the aim of this randomized, counterbalanced, and crossover study was to evaluate the effect of acute SR on sport-specific technical and athletic performance in male junior tennis players. Methods: Tennis players (N = 12; age 15.4 ± 2.6 y) were randomly allocated to either a sleep-restriction condition (SR, n = 6), where they experienced acute sleep restriction the night before the test session (≤5 h of sleep), or to a control condition (CON, n = 6), where they followed their habitual sleep–wake routines. Testing procedures included 20 left and right serves, 15 forehand and backhand crosscourt shots, and a repeated-sprint-ability test (RSA). The accuracy of serves and shots was considered for further analysis. One week later, players of SR joined CON, and players of CON experienced SR, and all test procedures were repeated. Results: Significant decrease in the accuracy of right (−17.5%, P = .010, effect size [ES] = 1.0, moderate) and left serve (−14.1%, P = .014, ES = 1.2, large), crosscourt backhand (−23.9%, P = .003, ES ≥ 2.0, very large), and forehand shot (−15.6%, P = .014, ES = 1.1, moderate) were observed in SR compared to CON, while RSA was similar in both conditions. Conclusion: Coaches and athletes at the team and individual level should be aware that 1 night of SR affects sport-specific but not athletic performance in tennis players.

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The Relationship between Observable Self-Talk and Competitive Junior Tennis Players' Match Performances

Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology ◽

10.1123/jsep.16.4.400 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 400-415 ◽

Cited By ~ 71

Author(s):

Judy L. Van Raalte ◽

Britten W. Brewer ◽

Patricia M. Rivera ◽

Albert J. Petitpas

Keyword(s):

Sport Psychology ◽

Descriptive Analysis ◽

Sport Performance ◽

Cognitive Factors ◽

Competitive Sport ◽

Tennis Players ◽

Self Talk ◽

Junior Tennis ◽

The Relationship ◽

Broad Interest

In sport psychology, there is broad interest in cognitive factors that affect sport performance. The purpose of this research was to examine one such factor, self-talk, in competitive sport performance. Twenty-four junior tennis players were observed during tournament matches. Their observable self-talk, gestures, and match scores were recorded. Players also described their positive, negative, and other thoughts on a postmatch questionnaire. A descriptive analysis of the self-talk and gestures that occurred during competition was generated. It was found that negative self-talk was associated with losing and that players who reported believing in the utility of self-talk won more points than players who did not. These results suggest that self-talk influences competitive sport outcomes. The importance of "believing" in self-talk and the potential motivational and detrimental effects of negative self-talk on performance are discussed.

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