Comparison of selected match characteristics at lower level of the international tennis tournaments

Abstract

Even on a lower level of tennis tournament, a player has a very short time to hit an incoming ball as the ball travels quickly and has various ball trajectory. The aim is to compare the rally pace and selected match characteristics between the clay and hard court at the lower level of international tennis tournaments. We compare two ITF Men's World Tennis Tour tournaments -the Milovice Open (hard court) and the RPM Open (clay court). We analysed 1629 points in 15 matches at the Milovice Open and 1296 points in 10 matches at RPM Open. The results showed that the rally pace was significantly faster at the Milovice Open (1,27 ± 0,05 s) compared RPM Open (1,32 ± 0,05 s) t( 23) = 2,68, p < 0,05, (d = 1,20); and also significant difference was found in the work/rest ratio between the Milovice Open (1:3,72 ± 0,75) and the RPM Open (1:3,02 ± 0,60) t( 23) = -2,25, p < 0,05, (d = 0,94). The rally was finished within the first 4 shots in 61% at the Milovice Open compared to 53% at the RPM Open. This study shows and compares selected match characteristics on lower level of international tennis tournaments in men's tennis. We found some interesting information, that can be useful for players and coaches.