title: Effects of consecutive days of match play on technical performance in tennis.
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.
authors: a School of Exercise Science , Australian Catholic University , Fitzroy , VIC , Australia.|b Game Insight Group , Tennis Australia , Melbourne , VIC , Australia.
authors: Danielle T
authors: DT
authors: Gescheit
authors: c Sport and Exercise Discipline Group , UTS: Health, University of Technology Sydney , Moore Park, NSW , Australia.
authors: Rob
authors: R
authors: Duffield
authors: d School of Exercise Science, Sport and Health , Charles Sturt University , Bathurst , NSW , Australia.
authors: Melissa
authors: M
authors: Skein
authors: d School of Exercise Science, Sport and Health , Charles Sturt University , Bathurst , NSW , Australia.
authors: Neil
authors: N
authors: Brydon
authors: a School of Exercise Science , Australian Catholic University , Fitzroy , VIC , Australia.
authors: Stuart J
authors: SJ
authors: Cormack
authors: b Game Insight Group , Tennis Australia , Melbourne , VIC , Australia.
authors: Machar
authors: M
authors: Reid
mesh_terms: D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005639:Frustration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D013715:Tennis / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Tennis; consecutive days; fatigue; technical performance