Tennis players hit very fast shots during matches and the opponent needs to hit the ball back within a limited time. The aim of this paper is to analyse the rally pace characteristics and the frequency of rally shots in the men's and women's matches at the Australian Open 2017. We analysed male (n=7) and female (n=23) matches at Australian Open 2017. We compared the (1) point duration;(2) number of rally shots; (3) time between the points; (4) rally pace; and (5) work to rest ratio. In spite of some small differences between the men's and women's matches, such as work to rest ratio (men 1:3,63±0,38; women 1:4,05±0,73), point duration (men 5,93±0,67 s; women 5,44±1,11 s) and rally shots number (men 4,85±0,48; women 4,47±0,72), none of these differences were significant. Both genders played at the same rally pace (while the ball is in the play), which was 1.2 s (mean ball flight time between the opponents). About 60 % of rallies were finished within the first four shots of the rally. Our findings could help coaches to utilize the practice sessions prior to the Australian Open tournament. VOLUME 13 | ISSUE 4 | 2018 | 749 was finished within the first 4 shots in about 60 % cases in both genders. These pieces of information could help coaches to utilize the practice sessions prior to the tournament.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTThis study was written within the Programme of the institutional support for science at Charles University Progress, No.Q41 Biological aspects of the investigation of human movement. The authors report no conflicts of interest.
Male and female players have a different quality of service. For example, men can reach a higher service speed, or use more ball spin. Tennis service has also a different efficiency on different surfaces. Every surface has specific characteristics and has different effects on ball impact and ball bounce. The aim of our study was to compare the amount of service points won between male and female players in men's and women's doubles at ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) and WTA (Women Tennis Association) tournaments on three different surfaces. We observed a total of 303 matches. Matches were played on clay, hard and grass courts. With the help of match records, we found that men won around 10% service points more than women. Results indicate that women's doubles matches show greater differences in performance between opponents. Men also need to win more service points than women, to win a match. Fast surfaces provide a greater advantage for serving teams, both for men and women. The lowest serve efficiency was reached on clay (slow surface) both in the men's and women's doubles.
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