Effects of consecutive days of match play on technical performance in tennis |
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| Authors: | Danielle T Gescheit Rob Duffield Melissa Skein Neil Brydon Stuart J Cormack Machar Reid |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Exercise Science, Australian Catholic University, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia;2. Game Insight Group, Tennis Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia;3. Sport and Exercise Discipline Group, UTS: Health, University of Technology Sydney, Moore Park, NSW, Australia;4. School of Exercise Science, Sport and Health, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, NSW, Australia;5. Game Insight Group, Tennis Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia |
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| Abstract: | Elite tennis is characterised by repeated bouts of up to 5-set match play, yet little is known about the technical requirements of shots played. This study therefore investigated technical performance changes over consecutive days of prolonged, simulated tennis match play. A total of 7 well-trained men tennis players performed 4 consecutive days of competitive 4-h match play. Matches were notated to determine between-day changes in groundstroke and serve performance, as well as point and match durations. Changes ≥75% likely to exceed the smallest important effect size (0.2) were considered meaningful and represented as effect size ± 90% confidence interval. Effective playing time reduced on days 3 and 4, alongside likely increases in “stretch” groundstrokes over the 4 days (mean effect size ± 90% confidence interval; 0.57 ± 0.38) and “stretch” backhand returns on days 2 and 3 (0.39 ± 0.54 and 0.67 ± 0.55). Relative unforced errors increased on day 4 (vs. day 2; 0.36 ± 0.22) and second-serve winning percentage reduced after day 1 (?0.47 ± 0.50). Further, a likely increase in emotional outbursts characterised day 3 (vs. day 2; 0.73 ± 0.57). Consecutive-day match play impairs hitting accuracy, stroke positioning and emotional responses; an understanding of which prepares players for elite-standard tennis tournament play. |
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| Keywords: | Tennis fatigue technical performance consecutive days |
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