title: Automated processes in tennis: do left-handed players benefit from the tactical preferences of their opponents?
abstract: Previous research on laterality in sport suggests an over-representation of left-handers in interactive sports such as tennis and cricket. These findings potentially reflect left-handers' advantage over their right-handed competitors in those sports. Although considered crucial for successful performance, the tactical component of their superiority has yet to be analysed. Two studies were conducted to test for a side bias in tennis players' tactical preferences. In the first study, 108 right- and left-handed players of varying skill watched rallies on a computer screen and had to indicate where they would place the ball in the opposing half. The results showed the tactical preference of players to place more balls on a left-handed opponent's mostly stronger forehand side compared with when faced with a right-hander. In the second study, 54 professional tennis matches involving right- and left-handers were analysed with respect to ball placement frequencies on the opponent's backhand side. Significantly fewer balls were hit to the backhand side of a left-handed opponent, thus replicating the findings of Study 1 in on-court situations. Both studies indicate players' preference to place shots to their right irrespective of their opponent's handedness. Findings support the assumption that left-handers might enjoy a strategic advantage in tennis.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports and Sports Science, University of Kassel, Kassel, Germany. f.loffing@uni-kassel.de
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Loffing
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hagemann
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Strauss
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000523:psychology*; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013715:Tennis / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult