Skill Level in Tennis Serve Return Is Related to Adaptability in Visual Search Behavior

Analyzing visual search strategies in tennis is primarily focused on studying relationships between visual behavior and tennis performance. However, diverse movement characteristics among different servers suggest the importance of adjusting the visual search strategies of an individual while playing against different opponents. The aim of this study was to analyze whether visual search strategies can be attributed to the individual server and the returning player during the tennis serve return or return performance. Seventeen tennis players were enrolled in this study (five international players and 12 national players) producing a sample of 1,020 returns measured with mobile eye trackers. The random forest machine learning model was used to analyze the ability to classify the returning player [area under the curve (AUC): 0.953], individual server (AUC: 0.686), and return performance category (AUC: 0.667) based on the location and duration of the focal vision fixation. In international tennis players, the higher predictability of the server was observed as compared with national level players (AUC: 0.901 and 0.834, respectively). More experienced tennis players presented with a higher ability to adjust their visual search strategies to different servers. International players also demonstrated anticipatory visual behavior during the tossing hand movement and superior information pickup during the final phases of the stroke of a server.

The Effects of Knee Flexion on Tennis Serve Performance of Intermediate Level Tennis Players

This study aimed to investigate the effects of knee flexion during the preparation phase of a serve on the tennis serve performance, using inertial sensors. Thirty-two junior tennis players were divided into two groups based on their maximum knee flexion during the preparation phase of serve: Smaller (SKF) and Greater (GKF) Knee Flexion. Their racket velocity, racket height, and knee extension velocity were compared during the tennis serve. Inertial sensors tracked participants’ shank, thigh, and racket motions while performing five first, flat, and valid serves. Knee flexion was analysed during the preparation phase of serve, knee extension velocity after this phase, racket velocity just before ball impact, and racket height at impact. Pre-impact racket velocity (mean difference [MD] = 3.33 km/h, p = 0.004) and the knee extension velocity (MD = 130.30 °/s, p = 0.012) were higher in the GKF than SKF; however, racket impact height was not different between groups (p = 0.236). This study’s findings support the importance of larger knee flexion during the preparation phase of serve-to-serve performance. This motion should be seen as a contributor to racket velocity.

Preventing a loss of accuracy of the tennis serve under pressure

Dynamically squeezing the left hand (left hand dynamic handgrip) has been shown to be effective in preventing choking under pressure in right-handers in a variety of sports. The current study assessed the effectiveness of the left hand dynamic handgrip in preventing a loss of accuracy of tennis serves in competitive situations. Twenty right-handed highly skilled junior athletes performed eight tennis serves at a target without pressure (pre-test), followed by eight serves under pressure (post-test). Ten of the participants conducted the left hand dynamic handgrip prior to the post-test, while the other ten performed an equivalent handgrip with their right hand. The serving accuracy of the group performing the handgrip with their right hand decreased significantly from pre- to post-test, while the accuracy of the left hand dynamic handgrip group remained stable. The results indicate the left hand dynamic handgrip to be effective in preventing reduced accuracy of the tennis serve in competition situations as a form of choking under pressure. This technique could easily be integrated into tennis players’ serving routines and promote stable match performance in competitions.

Kinematic characteristics of the tennis serve from the ad and deuce court service positions in elite junior players

Purpose According to the official rules of the International Tennis Federation, players have to serve alternately from two different positions: the deuce (right, D) and the ad court (left, AD) side. This study aimed to compare body and ball kinematics of flat serves from both service sides. Methods In a controlled, semi-court laboratory setting, 14 elite male junior players served eight flat first serves to a target field directed to the receiver’s body from both service positions in a matched and counterbalanced order. An 8-camera-Vicon-System was used to capture the 3D-landmark trajectories. Results The mean service velocity was found to be similar on both sides (D: 151.4 ± 19.8 vs. AD: 150.5 ± 19.4 km/h), while multiple characteristics of the serve and ball kinematics differed significantly (p < .05). At starting, the front-foot angle relative to the baseline (D: 39.7±17.6° vs. AD: 31.1±17.4°) and lateral distance between the feet (D: 16.3 ± 12.9 cm vs. AD: 26.2 ± 11.9 cm) were significantly different. During the service, upper torso range of motion from maximum clockwise rotation until impact was significantly greater on the deuce court (D: 130.5 ± 19.8° vs. AD: 126.7 ± 21.1°). This was especially pronounced in foot-back technique players. Further, differences in the lateral ball impact location (D: 30.0 ± 24.1 cm vs. AD: 10.3 ± 23.3 cm) were observed. Conclusions Changing the service side affects the serve and ball kinematics in elite junior tennis players. Our results underline biomechanical differences regarding the starting position (feet and upper torso) as well as the movement and ball kinematics which could be relevant for skill acquisition, injury prevention and performance enhancement.

Kinematic differences between professionals and young players in the tennis serve

The aim of the present study was to measure and examine the differences in lower limb kinematics between the flat, slice and topspin serves, in the kinematic features of the lower limbs, at two different times of the service movement, maximum knee bending and point of contact of the racket with the ball, in 12 young tennis athletes, aged 12-16 years and in 12 professional players that they were playing on the main draw of Roland Garros. The results showed no significant differences in time between the three types of service in young athletes. Comparing the time of young athletes 34.56ms with the time of high level athletes with 30.67ms, the results showed that the professionals performed the service faster than the young athletes having a significant difference.

Balance dynamics are related to age and levels of expertise. Application in young and adult tennis players

In tennis, coaches consider balance fundamental for the acquisition of skilled motor performance. However, the potential relationship between balance and tennis expertise and performance has not been explored yet. Therefore, this study assessed the relationship between balance and tennis performance using linear and non-linear parameters through 1) the comparison of tennis players of different ages and levels of expertise, and 2) analyzing the relationship between balance and tennis serving speed and accuracy. One hundred and six recreational and expert male tennis players took part in the study (age range 10–35 years old). Temporal dynamics of postural control during a balance task on an unstable surface were analyzed through the mean velocity and the detrended fluctuation analysis (DFAV) of center of pressure (COP). Tennis serve performance was quantified by measuring accuracy and speed. Traditional variables measuring balance performance only showed differences according to age but not to sport performance. COP showed a reduction of auto-correlated variability (reflected by DFAV) with age but mainly in expert players. COP dynamics was the only balance parameter discriminating sport expertise and it was related to age. Balance dynamics exhibited by expert tennis players DFAV results support the idea that, along the years, sport experience induces balance adaptations characterized by a higher ability to perform postural adjustments. These results also reinforce the use of non-linear analysis to reveal subtle balance adaptations produced by sport practice. Finally, the lack of correlations suggests that balance, measured with scattering variables, in a non-specific task is not a main determinant of sport performance in tennis serve.

Junior and Collegiate Tennis Players Display Similar Bilateral Asymmetries of Humeral Retroversion

ABSTRACT Context: Overhead throwing athletes consistently display significant bilateral differences in humeral retroversion (HRV). However, there is limited evidence regarding HRV asymmetries in tennis players despite similarities between the overhead throw and tennis serve. Objective: To determine if junior and collegiate tennis players demonstrate bilateral differences in HRV, and whether the magnitude of the side-to-side difference (HRVΔ) was similar across different age groups. Design: Cross-Sectional Study Setting: Field-Based Patients or Other Participants: Thirty-nine healthy tennis players were stratified into three age groups: Younger Juniors (n = 11; age = 14.5 ± 0.5 years), Older Juniors (n = 12; age = 17.1 ± 0.9 years), and Collegiate (n = 16; age = 19.6 ± 1.2 years). Main Outcome Measures: Three-trial means were calculated for HRV for the dominant and nondominant limbs, and HRVΔ was calculated by subtracting the mean of the nondominant side from the dominant side. Paired-sample t-tests were utilized to determine bilateral differences in HRV, while a one-way ANOVA was used to compare HRVΔ between groups. Results: For all three groups, HRV was significantly greater in the dominant arm compared to the nondominant arm (Younger Juniors: dominant = 62.8° ± 9.1° vs nondominant = 56.3° ± 6.8°, P = .039; Older Juniors: dominant = 75.5° ± 11.2° vs nondominant = 68.6° ± 14.2°, P = .043; Collegiate: dominant = 71.7° ± 8.5° vs nondominant = 61.2° ± 6.9°, P = .001). However, no significant differences were detected in HRVΔ when compared across age groups (P = .511). Conclusions: Consistent with studies involving overhead throwing athletes, tennis players demonstrated significantly greater measures of HRV in the dominant limb. Further, the development of HRV asymmetries appear to have occurred prior to the teenage years as no changes were observed in HRVΔ between age groups.

THE DIFFERENCES IN THE BALL SPEED AND THE SPIN RATE DEPENDING ON THE RESULTS OF A TENNIS SERVE

In tennis, the service is the only shot that a player can give himself without being influenced by his opponent, and it is said to be the most powerful and essential shot in the game to win the game (Kovacs and Ellenbecker, 2011). In this study, we will investigate the difference in speed and spin rate in services when a service is entered, when it is not entered, and when an ace is taken. Fourteen three-set singles matches of 20 participants in the ATP Challenger tournament were included in the analysis. The speed and spin rate was measured using the Trackman. The analysis included 1343 1st service balls. We compared the speed and spin rate for each IN, FAULT and ACE in the 1st service using one-way ANOVA. The speed of the 1st service, IN was significantly slower than that of FAULT and ACE. The spin rate of the 1st serve, IN had significantly more revolutions than the FAULT and ACE. The results of this study showed that the service was faster and lower spin rate when ACE was taken. However, it was found that the faster the speed of the service and the lower the spin rate, the higher the rate of FAULT. These considerations suggest that it is important to decide whether to take risks or play it safe, depending on the game situation at the time.

Technical analysis of adaptive neuron fuzzy intelligent system in tennis serve

Serving is the most important hitting technique in tennis, and a good service receiving can instantly reverse the active and passive relationship between serve and receive on the tennis court, and control the rhythm of the court. The purpose of this study is to use an adaptive neuron fuzzy intelligent system to analyze some techniques of tennis serve. In this study, eight male players from the school tennis team were selected as the experimental subjects, whose sports level was above the national tennis level II. Ten weeks before the simulation test, the training time and frequency of 8 subjects were the same. In other words, 5 times a week, 2.5 hours±0.5 hours. The work engineering of adaptive fuzzy system firstly, in the off-line modeling stage, the adaptive fuzzy system uses the rule self splitting technology to generate the initial fuzzy rules, and uses the improved adaptive neural network algorithm to optimize the calculation; then according to the error between the system input and the predicted output, the independent variable is adjusted and replaced; at the same time, the adaptive fuzzy system is further used for calculation In the process of tennis serving, the nonlinear control variables are obtained online and applied to the fuzzy system for control. Next, in the experiment, the system was used to record the body’s movement and service scores during service. The experimental results show that during the service process, the maximum trunk torsion amplitude can reach 48.26 ° and the minimum is only 5.41 ° and the service score accounts for 81.41% and 80.47% of the total scores of the two sections respectively. This shows that the fuzzy system in this study can effectively analyze the service posture and score of athletes. It is concluded that the accurate calculation and analysis of tennis serve by adaptive neuron intelligent fuzzy system in this study is conducive to improve the tennis serviceability and competition performance of players. This research has made a certain contribution to the intellectualization of sports.