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This study aims to analyze the effects of a training program based on practice variability on the speed and accuracy of the tennis forehand approach to the net shot. The study sample consisted of 35 players of both genders, 22 men and 13 women Cage 44 ± 10.9 years, height 1.73 ± 0.8 cm, and weight 74.7 ± 8,4 kg) Players were randomly distributed into two groups (control group = 18 and experimental group = 17). Both training groups worked a total volume of 4 weeks, seven sessions, and 15 min per session of forehand approach shot. Control group performed traditional training while experimental group trained with variability using wristband weights. The data obtained showed a large Group x Time interaction in the accuracy of the forehand approach shot, F(1, 16) = 28.034, p <.001. η =.637. Only the experimental group increased significantly in the accuracy after the program (51.4%. effect size = 1.3. p < .001). while no changes were achieved regarding hitting speed (1.2%, effect size =0.12, p=.62). The control group did not improve iii any of the tested variables. These results indicate that variability of training using wrist weights is a valid option to improve forehand approach shot accuracy in recreational-level players. Although stroke speed was not increased. this type of training may be interesting as accuracy and technical control is commonly the main goal of training at this level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To date, no longitudinal studies of quarterly changes have been conducted on the differences in the development of motor coordination between boys and girls in relation to changes in their tennis skills level. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the development of motor coordination of 10–12-year-old tennis players over the course of 1 year, in the light of changes in tennis skills preparation. Methods: One-hundred eighty male and female tennis players aged 10, 11, or 12 years old participated in the study. Each age group comprised 30 boys and 30 girls. To investigate their motor coordination development, a battery of general tests (simple reaction, complex reaction, Spalding test, spider test, hexagon jumping, Starosta's test, hand–eye test, balance, plate tapping, jump rope) and specific tennis skills tests (wall game and 100-tennis ball tests) were performed 4 times quarterly over 1 year. Differences between sexes and the time points were assessed. The rate of development evaluation was based on beta coefficient of linear regression. Results: Boys generally performed better in tennis skills tests than girls. The boys performed better also in one motor coordination test (Spalding test) among 10-year-olds, in two additional tests (spider and plate tapping tests) among 11-year-olds, and another three more tests (simple reaction, complex reaction and Starosta's tests) among 12-year-olds. Jump rope test among 10-year-olds and hexagon jump test among 12-year-olds were the only tests where girls performed better than boys. On the other hand, girls showed higher rate of development in balance and complex reaction tests than boys. Conclusions: We conclude that motor coordination and tennis skills development over 1 year is age-, sex-, and task-dependent, with the 10–12-year-old male tennis players performing better in tennis skills and overall motor coordination than females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aims of this study were to examine the learning of anticipation skill in the presence of kinematic and outcome probabilities information, and to see if this learning exhibited characteristics of Bayesian integration. Method: Participants with no competitive tennis playing experience watched tennis player stimuli playing forehand tennis shots and were tasked with predicted shot outcomes. Accuracy, response times and perceived task effort were recorded, pre, post and during four acquisition blocks where outcome feedback was provided. In both Experiment 1 and 2, kinematic information about shot direction was either present in the training group stimuli or absent. In Experiment 1, left/right shot probability information remained equi-probable for both groups. In Experiment 2, both groups also trained with a bias in the shot outcome probability toward one shot direction on 80% of the trials across acquisition blocks (and were not told about this manipulation). Results: Pre-to-post anticipation performance improved in the presence of kinematic (EXP 1) or both information sources (EXP 2). Pre-to-post improvements in the presence of shot outcome probability information were congruent with the bias in the shot direction trained (EXP 2). Superior anticipation performance was found when both information sources were present. The presence of kinematic information resulted in increased perceived effort during early training (EXP 1 & 2). Bayesian odds ratios indicated that shot direction probabilities and kinematic information were integrated during anticipation skill learning. Conclusion: Learning with shot direction probabilities and kinematic information shows characteristics of Bayesian integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A tiebreak in tennis is one of the critical moments where players are expected to excel under mental pressure and maintain high level of performance. Despite the importance of tiebreak points, research exploring the performance of male and female players during such match phrase remains limited. This study aimed to investigate i) the overall tiebreak performance of male and female players in relation to the outcome, ii) to examine their point-level performance by considering different contextual variables. A total of 535 tiebreaks comprising 6380 points from the 2016–2021 US Open men’s and women’s singles matches were collected. The difference in match performance between winning and losing players within the entire tiebreak game was explored. A subsequent decision tree analysis was then used to analyse the effect of the contextual and performance variables on tiebreak point-by-point outcome. The results showed that male and female Winning players outperformed the Losing players in 1st Serve, Serve Width and Net approach performance. The analysis of point-level performance showed that Net point, Score scene, and Point server substantially impacted tennis players’ tiebreak outcome. These findings provide valuable insight for coaches and players, informing tiebreak tactics tailoring and training in relevance to different match status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The tennis serve is commonly executed in high-pressure scenarios, often leading to performance decline; a condition commonly referred to as choking under pressure. One suggested effective method to avert choking involves contracting the left hand. We examined the effects of left-hand contraction on tennis serve performance using a wearable grasping material (polyurethane foam) which can be incorporated into sportswear. Materials and methods: We assigned 40 right-handed skilled tennis players to either the contraction group (n = 20) or the no-contraction group (n = 20). They were instructed to perform a second-serve task during the pre-test and pressure test. The participants in the contraction group squeezed the grasping material for 20 s before executing the task in the pressure test. We measured performance, including total scores, the number of maximum score achievements, landing positions, and kinematic indices (i.e., ball speed, racket speed, and impact height). Results: Although neither group demonstrated deteriorated performance on the pressure test, the contraction group experienced an increased number of maximum score achievements under the pressure situation compared with the pre-test (p = 0.021). Discussion: Our results suggest that when under pressure, left-hand contraction may improve performance during tennis serves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is known that different types of music used during sports performance has different psycho-physiological effects. In this context, this study aimed to reveal the effect of different types of music on ITN test performance in tennis players. A total of 35 recreational tennis players voluntarily participated in the study. In the research, the ITN test performance of tennis players was measured in three different conditions with 48-hour intervals, these being without music, with motivational music, and with sedative music. The Freidman test was used in the analysis of the data that did not show a normal distribution, and the Repeated Measures ANOVA test was used in the analysis of the data that showed a normal distribution. According to the main findings of the study, it was determined that motivational music increased the ITN test performance of tennis players, while sedative music decreased their ITN test performance (p<.05). Additionally, it was determined that motivational music increased the groundstroke depth scores of tennis players, while sedative music decreased groundstroke depth scores (p<.05). In addition to this, it was determined that volley depth, groundstroke accuracy, and serve scores increased through motivational music (p<.05), whereas sedative music had no effect (p>.05). As a result, it was determined that the ITN test performances of tennis players can be increased through the psycho-physiological effect of motivational music. It can therefore be concluded that the use of motivational music during training and matches (between sets and/or time breaks) of tennis players can increase their shooting performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tennis is an individual sport characterised by high-intensity action, including sprints and changes of direction (COD). However, there is a gap in the knowledge of limb asymmetries in adolescent tennis players and their association with performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between asymmetry in vertical and horizontal jump tests (CMJ and HJ) and COD with lower limb performance variables in adolescent tennis players. Forty-five adolescent tennis players (age: 13.81 ± 1.08 years; height: 167.64 ± 9.9 cm; body mass: 57.48 ± 10.94 kg; body mass index: 20.27 ± 2.18 kg/m2) performed the CMJ test (unilateral and bilateral), horizontal jumps (unilateral and bilateral), 25 m sprint, and 180° COD test. The single-leg countermovement jump showed the greatest asymmetries among the different tests (6.62 ± 9.35%). Notable negative relationships were found between CMJ asymmetry and COD asymmetry with unilateral horizontal jump variables (r = −0.30 to −0.53). In addition, CMJ asymmetry showed notable relationships with CMJR (r = 0.49) and COD180R (r = 0.29), whereas COD asymmetry showed a notable relationship with COD180L (r = 0.40). On the other hand, HJ asymmetry showed no notable relationships with any variable. The main findings of this study indicate that greater imbalances in the CMJ and COD tests are associated with a reduced capacity to perform unilateral horizontal jumps. These results suggest the incorporation of training protocols to reduce interlimb asymmetries in growing athletes to improve their performance. This practical application is important for coaches and physical trainers who aim to improve the physical performance of adolescent tennis players. Greater asymmetry results in a reduced ability to produce unilateral horizontal force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine how imagery ability could affect service improvement, following pre-performance motor imagery (MI) intervention, in young novice tennis players. Participants were divided into 3 groups with regard to their MI ability scores (Poor imager, Good imager and Control groups) obtained on the Movement Imagery Questionnaire for Children. During a pre-test, participants performed 10 services. The pre-performance MI practice was included during physical practice for 24 sessions. Each session consisted of 20 services, which were first imagined and then physically performed. Participants of the Poor and Good imager groups were required to use external visual MI, while those of the control group were given a countdown task. Participants performed an intermediate-test, after a first block of 12 practice sessions, and a post-test one-week after the last block of practice session, which were identical to the pre-test. The results of this study showed that MI improved service performance (i.e., percentage of success, speed and efficiency), and that this improvement was faster in the Good imager than in the Poor imager group. More specifically, The Poor imager group required more MI interventions to achieve equivalent performance to Good imager group. The impact of MI practice on service performance, for novice tennis players, is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this systematic review is to provide an evidence-based synthesis of the literature on the topic of technical and tactical competencies of tennis players and to answer the following research questions: (1) What is the state of the art of research on technical and tactical competencies (i.e., skills and knowledge) and tennis; (2) What are the most important topics related to technical and tactical competencies in tennis players. Methods: Electronic searches were conducted in Web of Science, PubMED and SPORTDiscus (August to September 2023). This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. To reduce risk, all published literature was searched and primary studies were included. The search terms included skills or competencies, match or play, player and tennis and excluded studies on non-competitive tennis players--notation analysis, AI method, systematic review and validation of tools. Results and discussion: Of the 390 publications found in these searches, 13 articles were considered relevant and included in this study. They were divided into three categories: (1) technical-tactical skills, (2) match situations and (3) match performance. There was clear evidence that there is a test instrument for analyzing tactical-technical skills that has sufficient reliability and validity and is of practical value to tennis coaches. The development of tacticaltechnical skills is influenced by method (variability between/within skills), conditions (court size, ball type) and areas of development (situational awareness, anticipation, decision making). There are differences in match and stroke performance between different quality groups (professionals, juniors), which can also be influenced by mental strength. For a comprehensive study of tennis players' abilities, the use of modern technologies is possible and necessary in the future. Future research should focus on the creation of competency models for the playing level of tennis players, which could include at least three key elements: (1) key competencies, (2) description of standards, (3) evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to provide an overview of kinematic parameters associated with key points of interest in the tennis serve. The research was conducted according to the PRISMA guideline without date restriction. Google scholar, Science Direct, PubMed/Medline, Mendeley, and Science.gov databases were scanned to find relevant studies. Only English peer-review original article focused on joint body angles at trophy position, racket low point and ball impact were retained. The review, quality appraisal, and data extraction from selected studies were performed independently by two reviewers. A meta-analysis was carried out on the most studied joint parameters. Among the 2,844 records identified, 27 articles were included. The wide variety of methods used required data homogenization for comparison purposes. Trunk inclination (25.0 ± 7.1°) and front knee flexion (64.5 ± 9.7°) were the most studied parameters for trophy position. Shoulder lateral rotation (130.1 ± 26.5°) was systematically evaluated for racket low point. At ball impact, shoulder elevation (110.7 ± 16.9°) and elbow flexion (30.1 ± 15.9°) were the most considered joint angles. The systematic review revealed that many kinematic parameters were not quantified at the various key points of interest. Knowledge of the kinematics is essential for understanding the gesture, implementing training methods, and improving the performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of time of day on technical and physical performance parameters in young female tennis players. A sample of 12 recreational tennis players (age 24.2 ± 3.8 years) were randomly distributed into two groups. After having their demographics (age, experience, chronotypes), they were measured for body mass, body temperature, serve accuracy, serve speed, countermovement jump, grip strength, agility, and linear speed by counterbalancing method on two different days and at two different times of the day (09:00 and 16:30). The main results revealed that the players had significantly (p < 0.01) higher body temperature and greater values in the grip strength test during the afternoon session in comparison to the morning session. On the other hand, no significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed for other physical and technical performance parameters. The findings may highlight that time of day has no significant effects on several tennis-related performance determinants in female recreational players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aimed to analyze the role of job involvement as a mediator in the relationship between tennis coaches' perceived organizational justice and their intention to leave, considering the unique professional context and demands of tennis coaching. Additionally, it sought to identify any generational differences in this model. The research categorizes perceived organizational justice into procedural and distributive justice, and job involvement into job attachment and job commitment. Methods: The study incorporated data from 201 coaches working at commercial tennis facilities nationwide. Perceived organizational justice and job involvement were measured using validated scales. The mediation model was tested using structural equation modeling (SEM), and a multi-group analysis was conducted to identify generational differences. Results: Results indicated that job involvement partially mediated the relationship between perceived organizational justice and turnover intentions, with distributive justice having a stronger total effect. The multi-group analysis revealed generational variances: distributive justice influenced turnover intentions more among the MZ generation, while procedural justice had a greater impact on the older generation. Discussion: These findings offer valuable insights for commercial tennis facilities aiming to reduce turnover and manage generational conflicts. Understanding the differential impacts of procedural and distributive justice on various generations can help tailor strategies to enhance organizational operation and employee retention. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of perceived organizational justice and job involvement in influencing tennis coaches' turnover intentions. The generational differences observed suggest that targeted interventions based on generational characteristics can be effective in reducing turnover and improving organizational stability. Future research should explore other potential mediators and extend the model to different sports and organizational contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Bone growth with exercise is best assessed by tennis-induced inter-arm asymmetries. Yet, the effects of training and maturation across puberty were unclear. This study explored arm bone growth across 9 months of training in 46 tennis players 7–14 years (25 boys, 21 girls). Methods: Bone mineral content (BMC) and bone area (BA) were measured from DXA scans. Pubertal status was assessed by Tanner stage (TS) and somatic growth by maturity offset (MO). Children were grouped as pre- (TS I–I), early (TS I–II), and mid/late pubertal (TS II–III). Results: Training time (TT) change in the three groups was 160–170, 190–230, and 200–220 h, respectively. Bone asymmetries were large in all groups (d > 0.8, P < 0.001): 5–18 g (9–21%) and 9–17 g (17–23%) in girls and boys, respectively, for BMC, and 5–15 cm2 (6–13%) and 9–15 cm2 (12–15%) in girls and boys (10–13%), respectively, for BA. BMC and BA change asymmetry peaked at pre-puberty in girls (56%, 46%) and at early puberty in boys (57%, 43%). Asymmetry gains varied with baseline asymmetry (41%) and change in TT (38%) and TS (17%) in BMC, and with baseline asymmetry (58%) and change in MO (17%) and TS (12%) in BA. Conclusion: All bone asymmetries were substantial. Tennis-induced bone gains were higher at pre- to early puberty in girls and at early to mid/late puberty in boys. Training enhanced mostly bone mass and maturity status enhanced mostly bone size; sex was not bone-change modeling impactful. Implications are discussed considering certain limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to review and describe in detail the coaching practices of the tennis team at the Hikone campus of Shiga University over a period of approximately 20 years from the coaches' perspective, based on the following four aspects: 1) the circumstances surrounding the tennis team in the early 2000s, 2) coaching philosophy and specific goals, 3) coaching practices to improve competitive performance, especially that of the men's team from 2008 to 2011 toward promotion to the second division of the Kansai Intercollegiate Tennis League, and that of the women's team from 2013 to 2016 for competing in the All Japan Intercollegiate Tennis Championships, and 4) coaching practices to improve the human qualities of the team members. The tennis team at the Hikone campus of Shiga University does not offer sports scholarships, and yet the men's team was promoted to the second division of the Kansai Intercollegiate Tennis League and the women's team competed in the All Japan Intercollegiate Tennis Championships. The factors that contributed to the achievement of these extremely high goals are as follows: 1) The team members maintained a high motivation to grow and continued to make enthusiastic efforts to improve their competitive performance and acquire excellent human qualities. 2) By carefully observing and valuing communication with the team members, the coaches were able to provide various forms of support appropriate to the situation at any given time. 3) The successful functioning of coordination and cooperation between the team members and the coaches had a positive effect on competitive performance. In order for tennis players to achieve true competitive performance, it is necessary not only to develop the mind, techniques, strength and tactics required for playing tennis, but also to have the excellent human qualities that will serve as a foundation for this. As a coach, therefore, I hope to continue to provide coaching with a focus on improving both the competitive performance and the human qualities of tennis team members, while valuing their independence and self-initiative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Knee injuries are prevalent among professional tennis players and have a significant impact on their athletic performance and longevity. This study aimed to evaluate the dynamic and postural balance differences between injured and healthy professional tennis players, reflecting the broader implications of knee injuries on player stability and performance. Materials and methods. A total of 80 professional tennis players, comprising 40 individuals in the knee injury group (IG) and 40 individuals in the non-injury group (NIG), were selected to participate in this cross-sectional study. Participants’ postural sway was assessed under various conditions, including standing on different surfaces with open and closed eyes using a Wii Balance Board. The Y-Balance Test was performed to evaluate the player’s dynamic balance. An Independent t-test was used to examine the difference in postural sway and dynamic balance between the two groups. Results. The results of this study indicated that players with knee injuries showed significantly worse performance in both dynamic balance (p

The purpose of the present study was to assess whether the recognition of tennis players' affective state associated with their nonverbal behavior would be influenced by (a) the importance of the situation, (b) the point outcome, and (c) the tennis expertise of the observer. Two hundred sixty-nine participants (Mage = 30.51 years; 116 female; 79 tennis club members) watched video excerpts showing the nonverbal behavior of amateur tennis players during competitive matches immediately after the end of a rally and were asked to estimate whether the player had just won or lost the point. Results indicate that the recognition rates were higher for situations closer to the end of a game, closer to the end of a set, and with a tighter score during a game. Moreover, recognition rates were higher for lost than for won points, while the tennis expertise of participants had no influence on the recognition rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Assessing bilateral differences in paired anthropometric features is an important methodological problem in sports anthropology. The present study included 128 adolescent female athletes (59 rhythmic gymnasts, 58 tennis players, and 11 swimmers). Body composition components were determined using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance measurements (analyzer InBody 170). Asymmetry coefficients of muscle and fat mass accumulation in the upper (AA) and lower (AL) limbs were calculated using the Nacheva` equation (1986). The percentiles method was applied to distribute the bilaterally studied anthropometric features according to the mean values of the units of asymmetry (UA). Wilkoxon-test was used to assess the statistically significant differences in paired variables. Kruskal-Wallis test was applied to determine the differences in UA between three assessed athlete groups, depending on their age. The differences in body composition components between rhythmic gymnasts (RG), tennis players (TP), and swimmers (SW) were well expressed in all assessed age groups. The most considerable inter-group differences were observed in terms of the asymmetry coefficient in the lean body mass (LBM) with a right direction and body fat mass with a left direction for upper limb fat mass (%, kg), which have signed the highest values in the tennis players group, followed by the RG on the same age. Swimmers had significantly the lowest values of UA for all body segments. A close relation was found between asymmetry in body composition variables and the type of sports activity. Tennis was found as a sport with more pronounced inter-limbs asymmetry.

In women's tennis, fluctuating competitive performance is a prevalent issue, studying it can reveal new ways to monitor and adjust competitive performance. Based on the model of competitive ability, this study examines the fluctuating phenomenon of the competitive performance of Chinese women's singles tennis players. Using questionnaires and interviews to investigate women's singles tennis players who participated in the National competition and the China Tennis Tour. Through empirical study, it was found that in the rising phase, matching sports intelligence with mental state is the primary factor for athletes to achieve an advantage; in the flattening phase, mental state becomes the "amplifier" to break the critical point in the competitive stalemate; in the falling phase, physical ability is the cornerstone for athletes to recover the score when behind the opponent. Therefore, athletes can timely adjust and optimize the key factors that affect competitive performance according to the competition phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is firmly established that achieving a high ball speed during the execution of groundstrokes represents a relevant factor for success in tennis. However, little is known about how plantar pressure changes as post-impact ball speed is increased during open and square stance groundstrokes. The objective of the study was to determine how tennis players change the plantar pressure in each foot when they execute open versus square stance forehand groundstrokes in order to increase post-impact ball speed. Methods: Fifteen healthy female tennis players with ITN 2 or better (mean age: 22.7 ± 7.8 years) participated in this study. The players performed open and square stance longline forehand groundstrokes (topspin) at the following four post-impact ball speed levels: 80 km/h, 90 km/h, 100 km/h, and vmax. Flexible pressure-detecting insoles were used to measure plantar pressure in each foot [i.e., dominant (equals the stroke arm) and nondominant]. Results: The repeated measures ANOVA showed significant stance style × foot dominance interactions and post-hoc analyses revealed larger maximal and mean forces during open compared to square stance for the dominant but not non-dominant foot. Further, the ball speed × stance style × foot dominance interaction reached the level of significance and post-hoc analyses showed increased/decreased mean forces in the dominant/non-dominant foot during the square but not open stance when players increased their post-impact ball speed. Conclusion: Larger values in the open stance, but post-impact ball speed-adjusted values in square stance indicate different advantages in both styles, suggesting their situation-specific application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demands of professional tennis, including physical and psychological aspects, contribute to the frequency of retirements at elite levels of the sport. The aim of this study was to analyze epidemiological patterns and risk factors associated with retirements in previous ATP and WTA Tour tournaments. A retrospective cohort study was conducted. This study focused on previous ATP and WTA Tour tournaments. The ATP database encompassed 584,806 matches, while the WTA database included 267,380 matches. To assess retirements, potential risk factors such as playing surface, tournament category, match round, and player age were analyzed. Incidence rates were calculated for the period between 1978–2019 for men and 1994–2018 for women. The overall incidence rate was 1.56 (95%CI: 1.54, 1.59) and 1.36 (95%CI: 1.33, 1.39) retirements per 1000 games played in male and female competitions, respectively. Retirements increased over the years. Higher incidence rates were observed on hard (1.59 [95%CI: 1.56, 1.63] and 1.39 [95%CI: 1.34, 1.44]) and clay (1.60 [95%CI: 1.57, 1.63] and 1.36 [95%CI: 1.32, 1.41]) compared to grass courts (0.79 [95%CI: 0.65, 0.94] and 1.06 [95%CI: 0.88, 1.27]). Risk factors differed by gender, with tournament category significant in males (IRR: 1.23 [95%CI: 1.19, 1.28] in ITF vs ATP) and match round in females (IRR: 0.92 [95%CI: 0.88, 0.98] in preliminary vs final). This study provides valuable insights for coaches, players, support teams, and epidemiologists regarding retirements and associated risk factors in previous ATP and WTA Tour tournaments, contributing to injury prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effect of self-controlled video feedback on the learning of tactical motor skills in tennis, and additionally, whether this was affected by learners' self-efficacy and self-regulative skills. Method: Twenty-three intermediately skilled tennis players were assigned to either a self-controlled group that was provided video feedback on request or a yoked group that received an identical, externally controlled video feedback schedule. In three training sessions participants practiced serve and volley play. Video feedback with attentional cueing and transitional statements that focused solely on individual tactical gameplay was provided by a licensed tennis coach. Individual tactical performance was measured with a custom designed Tactical Tennis Tool (TTT) in a pretest, posttest and in a one-week retention test. Before each test self-efficacy was measured, and a questionnaire was administered to measure self-regulative skills. Results: Analyses revealed significantly larger improvements in tactical performance relative to the pretest for the self-controlled group than for the yoked group in both the posttest and the one-week retention test. No differences were found in self-efficacy. Finally, the improvements in tactical performance were not predicted by self-efficacy and/or self-regulative skills. Conclusion: The advantage of self-controlled video feedback extends to the learning of a complex tactical task in tennis. Future research should verify the observed benefits of a self-controlled learning environment in comparison to a coach-controlled learning environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The study aims to comprehensively analyze the existing literature on the relationship between biomechanics and tennis performance, with a particular focus on enhancing Olympic accomplishment. Materials and methods. Scopus was used to search three fields in each record: (1) Author's name, (2) Journal Name where the paper was published, (3) Total citations. Bibliometric analysis was employed as a component of the analysis. To obtain a comprehensive and accurate understanding, the data was analyzed and interpreted using several methods of data triangulation. VOSviewer software was applied to generate distance-based co-occurrence maps for bibliometric analysis and synthesis. The terms extracted from keywords, titles, and abstracts were categorized and organized based on their level of interconnectedness. The keywords "Biomechanics" and "tennis performance" are commonly employed in the study, and their meanings are often interpreted in different settings. The search yielded 240 papers and 6137 citations, which were used in the study conducted between 2000 and 2024. Results. The study's findings identified "key authors, countries, and subject areas" contributing to the field of biomechanics research in tennis, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and future research directions. Conclusions. In conclusion, the study provides a foundation for continued research and innovation in championing Olympic excellence through biomechanics research in tennis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the increasing academic interest in match-fixing, little is known about the behavioral determinants of this phenomenon. This study applies key theoretical concepts of situational action theory (SAT) to sportspersons' decision-making process when confronted with sports-related match-fixing (SRMF) propositions. Using a factorial survey, amateur football players (n = 661), and tennis players (n = 609) in Flanders (Belgium) were asked to evaluate hypothetical realistic situations containing match-fixing propositions. Our results show that sportspersons' crime propensity, mostly determined by their moral judgment of SRMF and self-control, and their levels of temptation, together with a number of SAT interactions, were the best predictors of SRMF as a form of sports-related rule breaking. We conclude that SAT provides a valuable theoretical framework to study fraud in sports phenomena such as SRMF, and that factorial surveys have great potential to allow researchers to reach beyond the risk factor stage of research, to efficiently inform prevention initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Success in sports is a complex phenomenon that has only garnered limited research attention. In particular, we lack a deep scientific understanding of success in sports like tennis and the factors that contribute to it. Here, we study the unfolding of tennis players' careers to understand the role of early career stages and the impact of specific tournaments on players' trajectories. We employ a comprehensive approach combining network science and analysis of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) tournament data and introduce a novel method to quantify tournament prestige based on the eigenvector centrality of the co-attendance network of tournaments. Focusing on the interplay between participation in central tournaments and players' performance, we find that the level of the tournament where players achieve their first win is associated with becoming a top player. This work sheds light on the critical role of the initial stages in the progression of players' careers, offering valuable insights into the dynamics of success in tennis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In tennis, the serve plays a key role in determining the success of a player. The speed of a serve is influenced by a multitude of interconnected skills and abilities. The objective of this study was to establish the correlation between the explosive strength of the throwing type, the grip strength and flexibility of the arms, and the shoulder girdle with the serve speed in young female tennis players. Additionally, the study aimed to develop a regression model that accurately predicts the serve speed by analyzing the interplay among these variables. The study was carried out on a group of 20 tennis players, who had an average age of 13.10 ± 0.74 years. Additionally, their height was recorded as 165.70 ± 4.90 cm, and their body mass was measured at 51.45 ± 5.84 kg. To assess the motor abilities of the upper extremities, four tests were used that aimed to measure the explosive strength of the throwing type; one test was for the strength of the hand and forearm muscles, and one test was for the flexibility of the arms and shoulder girdle. Of all the variables examined, the medicine ball throw shot put (MBTSP) (r = 0.75), overhead medicine ball throw (OMBT) (r = 0.70), and grip strength (GS) (r = 0.71) displayed a notable correlation with serve speed (p < 0.05). The results obtained from the multiple regression analysis indicate that the combination of selected predictors (MBTSP—medicine ball throw shot put, OMBT—overhead medicine ball throw and GS—grip strength) explained 75% of the variability in serve speed. Significantly, MBTSP surfaced as the predominant predictor, autonomously elucidating 51% of the variability in serve speed. The importance of improving the analyzed motor skills of young female tennis players to enhance their serve in terms of speed is emphasized by the findings of this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the viability of securitizing the professional athlete earnings of college tennis players choosing to pursue a professional career. The authors simulate the investment performance of securitized portfolios of tennis players on both a random basis and an informed basis. Historically, only 17% of college players who turn professional make a profit after expenses. They find that randomly selected portfolios of college tennis players have limited profit potential for investors, even after including generous estimates of endorsement income. This stands in contrast to the profitability of securitizing high-profile professional athletes with established brand values (in which endorsement income is very important). The authors explore the use of an informed selection of tennis professionals to form securitized portfolios. Informed selection substantially enhances the profitability of portfolios of players based even on simple metrics, such as their college rankings. They also explore the use of machine-learning selection models to form portfolios of securitized tennis players. However, they found no financial benefit of machine-learning selection models beyond the use of a simple selection criteria based on college ranking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Advanced coronary plaque analysis by cardiac computed tomography (CT) has recently emerged as a promising technique for better prognostic stratification. However, this evaluation application in clinical practice is still uncertain. Case summary In the present case, we described the clinical picture of a 44-year-old tennis player with ectopic ventricular beats in which cardiac CT enabled the identification of a non-obstructive but high-risk plaque on proximal left anterior descendent artery. The application of artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced software enabled to better stratify the patients' risk. The present case describes how early identification of non-obstructive but high-risk coronary plaque evaluated by cardiac CT using AI-enhanced software enabled accurate and personalized risk assessment. Discussion The main clinical message of this case report is that advanced plaque analysis by cardiac CT, especially when performed with AI-based software, may provide important prognostic information leading to a personalized preventive approach. Moreover, AI-based software may contribute to promote a routine evaluation of these important data already included in traditional cardiac CT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study reports the multi-year periodised international competition engagement of elite top 100 [T100] and 250 [T250] female tennis players during their youth. Methods: Tournament data was analysed for 258 female players from 13 to 18 years of age. Players were categorised into groups based on peak professional ranking of T100 or T250. 'Fast' or 'slow' achieving T100 players were further classified according to the years taken to achieve a professional T100 status. International tournament and match volumes were quantified for junior and professional categories, along with measures of competition density (i.e., time between tournaments and consecutive tournaments). Tournament quality and category were determined by ranking point offerings. A two-way analysis of variance determined the effects of age and ranking group on tournament play. Results: Significant interaction effects for age and ranking group were observed for all junior and professional category tournaments (p <.05). Significantly higher annual junior tournament volumes featured in the schedules of T100 at ages 14 and 15 (p <.05) while participation in annual professional tournaments increased for all players at ages 17 and 18 (p <.05). The top 100 players played more annual matches than the T250 group at 14–16 years (p <.05). Significant main effects for age revealed decreased days between tournaments and increased consecutive tournaments at 15 years (p <.05). Conclusions: Increased volume and density of tournament-play exist from 14 years professional female tennis players. Faster achieving T100 players contest higher-quality junior and professional tournaments at earlier ages. These distinctive tournament characteristics can underpin training and competition scheduling recommendations used by national tennis federations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The epidemiology of musculoskeletal injuries at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and US Open tennis tournaments has been investigated in recent studies; however, there is no published literature on the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries at the French Open. Purpose: To describe the incidence, location, and type of musculoskeletal injuries in tennis players during the French Open tournament from 2011 to 2022. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: A review was performed of all injuries documented by a multidisciplinary medical team during the French Open from 2011 to 2022. All musculoskeletal injuries that occurred during the main draw of the female and male singles or doubles matches were included. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Injury locations were grouped into regions as well as into upper limb, trunk, and lower limb. Results: In total, there were 750 injuries in 687 tennis players, resulting in a mean of 62.5 injuries per tournament; however, there were no obvious trends in injury incidence over the time frame evaluated. The number of injuries in female and male players was similar (392 vs 358, respectively). The most common injury regions were the thigh/hip/pelvis (n = 156), ankle/foot (n = 114), and spine (n = 103). The most common injury types were muscle-related (n = 244), tendon-related (n = 207), and joint-related (n = 163), and the most affected muscles were the adductors (n = 45), rectus abdominis (n = 38), and lumbar muscles (n = 25). Conclusion: Over the 12-year period from 2011 to 2022 female and male players experienced similar numbers of musculoskeletal injuries, with most injuries occurring in the lower limbs compared with the upper limbs and trunk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The relative age effect (RAE) has been the focus of numerous studies; however, there are still fewer studies in women's sports than in men's sports. In this study, all female players (N = 2,255) who participated in Chinese junior tennis competitions (U12, U14, U16, and the National Junior Team) from 2014 to 2019 were investigated in terms of competitors' birth dates and year-end rankings. For the purposes of the analysis, the birth dates were also separated into quarters and half years. The study's objectives were to analyze the prevalence of the RAE among young Chinese female tennis players and to further examine how the RAE affects athletic performance. Differences between the observed and expected distributions of birth dates were tested using the chi-square statistic, and subsequent calculations were tested using odds ratios. The RAE was discovered to be present in every group of Chinese junior female tennis players (p < 0.001), with the proportions of those born in the first half of the year being 56.4% (U12), 53.1% (U14), and 57.0% (U16), respectively. The RAE for athletes selected for the National Women's Junior Tennis Team was even more significant, with the percentage of birth dates in the first half of the year at 61.2%. Finally, we observed a tendency for the effect of the RAE on the athletic performance of adolescent female tennis players to diminish with age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motor imagery training is a common mental strategy used by tennis players and coaches to improve learning and performance; however, the effect of motor imagery training on service performance in tennis players is questionable. This review aims to consolidate existing research regarding the effects of motor imagery training on the service performance of tennis players. A systematic search was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines, using PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and SPORTDiscus to identify articles published until December 2023. Eligible studies comprised controlled trials that investigated the impact of motor imagery on service performance outcomes in tennis players. The methodological quality of individual studies was assessed using the Cochrane RoB-2 and ROBINS-I tools. GRADE was applied to assess the certainty of the evidence. Nine trials including 548 participants met the inclusion criteria. The results indicated that motor imagery training improved service accuracy and technique but did not affect service speed or return accuracy in tennis players. In conclusion, the certainty of the evidence that motor imagery training may be effective in improving service accuracy and technique in tennis players is low to very low. However, more experimental work is needed to obtain stronger conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research on intense real-life faces has shown that although there was an objective difference in facial activities between intense winning faces and losing faces, viewers failed to differentiate the valence of such expressions. In the present study, we explored whether participants could perceive the difference between intense positive facial expressions and intense negative facial expressions in a forced-choice response task using eye-tracking techniques. Behavioral results showed that the recognition accuracy rate for intense facial expressions was significantly above the chance level. For eye-movement patterns, the results indicated that participants gazed more and longer toward the upper facial region (eyes) than the lower region (mouth) for intense losing faces. However, the gaze patterns were reversed for intense winning faces. The eye movement pattern for successful differentiation trials did not differ from failed differentiation trials. These findings provided preliminary evidence that viewers can utilize intense facial expression information and perceive the difference between intense winning faces and intense losing faces produced by tennis players in a forced-choice response task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this 2-week randomized, counterbalance and crossover study was to investigate the effect of acute mental fatigue (MF) on tennis serve performance and accuracy in tennis players. Methods: Ten male tennis players (18 ± 4 years, 1.80 ± 0.08 m; 71 ± 13 kg) were randomized to either the MF group (N = 5) that underwent an acute MF protocol or to a control (CON) group (N = 5). The MF condition consisted in a 30-min modified Stroop color word task performed before on-court serve speed test. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the perceptions of MF and motivation toward the upcoming technical tests. Results: Reduction over baseline score of Stroop test was noted in accuracy (N <.001), but not in reaction time (N =.968) in the MF group. Increments in perceived workload were detected (N <.001) in MF group compared to CON. No differences for first and second serve speed from deuce and advantage side were observed. Increment of percentage of failed second serves from the deuce side (N =.043) in MF were detected. Conclusions: An acute MF protocol reduced tennis serve accuracy from deuce side in male tennis players. Players should avoid cognitive efforts before training sessions and matches to prevent negative effects of their technical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Repetitive microtrauma can lead to trapezoid and second metacarpal stress fractures in racket sport players. Nontraumatic trapezoid stress fractures are rare and difficult to diagnose. To our knowledge, only 3 cases had been reported as of May 2023. We report the fourth case of a nontraumatic sports-related trapezoid stress fracture and only the second case in a tennis player. Case Report: A 29-year-old professional and right hand-dominant male tennis player presented with right hand and wrist pain for 3 weeks. He complained of dorsal wrist tenderness proximal to the base of the second metacarpal that was exacerbated by extension of the index finger. Initial radiographswere normal, butmagnetic resonance imaging of thewrist showed a stress fracture of the trapezoid bone and base of the second metacarpal. The patient was treated conservatively with a wrist brace, cessation of sports activities, and modification of his training routine. The patient was asymptomatic at 1-year follow-up. Conclusion: This case highlights the relationship between trapezoid and second metacarpal stress fractures in athletes. A high index of suspicion for trapezoid stress fractures should be maintained and included in every differential diagnosis for athletes, especially racket sport players presenting with wrist pain. To avoid future injuries, clinicians should not only treat the fracture but also address the risk factors predisposing to this injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to explore the disparities in mental resilience levels among veteran tennis players concerning age, gender, and weekly training frequency. The survey method was employed, utilizing a survey technique as part of the screening process. The study involved 358 volunteer veteran tennis players, with 85 females and 273 males, who completed the mental resilience scale. The "Sports Mental Resilience Scale" and a researcher-prepared personal information form were used. The scale showed good reliability with Cronbach's Alpha coefficients of 0.81 for Confidence, 0.74 for Persistence, and 0.71 for Control. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.0. Normal distribution was confirmed through Skewness, Kurtosis values, and the Levene Test. Parametric tests, such as Independent Sample T Test and One Way ANOVA, were used when significant differences emerged between groups. The Scheffe test was applied to identify the sources of differences. Results revealed no statistically significant difference in average mental resilience scores based on gender (p>0.05). However, significant differences were found in Confidence and Persistence sub-dimensions based on age (p<0.05), as well as in the Confidence subdimension and total scores based on weekly training frequency (p<0.05). In summary, this study investigated the relationship between mental resilience levels and variables like gender, age, and weekly training frequency among veteran tennis players. It found that these factors indeed impact the mental resilience of veteran tennis players, contributing new insights to the field and future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Junior tennis players travel a lot to play tennis tournaments; this causes them to spend a lot of time away from their homes and disrupts their training, which could reduce their performance and increase the risk of injury. The purpose of this study was to analyze the changes in physical performance and body composition after a six-week international tour in young Chilean female tennis players. Thirty young female tennis players (15.4 ± 0.6) participated in this study. Body weight, skinfolds, and perimeters were measured. Body fat percentage (BFP) and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) were calculated. For physical performance, 5 m sprint, the 505 with stationary start test (505 test), the pro-agility test, countermovement jump (CMJ), and medicine ball throw (MBT) were evaluated. The results show a significant increase in BFP and decrease in SMM (p < 0.01; d = −0.18 and 0.19, respectively). In terms of physical performance, 5 m sprint, the 505 test (p < 0.01; d = −0.95 and −0.95, respectively), CMJ, MBT, and HJ significantly decreased post-tour (p < 0.05; d = 0.96, 0.89 and 0.47, respectively). We conclude that, after a six-week international tour, there were changes in body composition and a significant decrease in 5 m sprint, the 505 test, CMJ, and MBT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to compare the effects of playing tennis using low-compression balls (Lc-Balls) and standard balls (St-Balls) on psychophysiological responses and match characteristics among recreational adult tennis players. Participants (N = 24; age: 20.5 ± 1.3 years) were randomly matched to play two singles matches over three sets: one match was played with a Lc-Ball and one match was played with a St-Ball, resulting in twenty-four matches. Heart-rate responses and match characteristics were assessed during each match. Post-match measures included retrospective assessments of perceived exertion, ratings of enjoyment towards physical activity, and ratings of mental effort and mood. Results showed higher psychophysiological responses and more intensive play during the game when playing with the Lc-Ball (p ≤ 0.05, d values ranging from 0.24 to 1.93 [small to very large effect]). Further, playing with a Lc-Ball related to reporting a lower rating of perceived exertion (p = 0.00, d = 0.90 [moderate effect]) and greater physical enjoyment (p = 0.00, d = 1.73 [large effect]). Playing with the St-Ball was associated with higher unpleasant mood responses including depression, tension, anger, and fatigue. In conclusion, the results suggest that using the Lc-Ball may lead to better match performance with higher enjoyment in the tennis match-play in recreational adult tennis players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tennis is a complex sport based on unpredictability that requires adequate physical and psychological preparation to prevent injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 8-week specific core stability training on postural stability in competitive adolescent tennis players, aged between 14 and 19 years old. Sixty-one participants were randomly allocated into two groups: experimental (n = 32) and control (n = 29) groups. The first group wore proprioceptive insoles 8 h a day and performed a detailed training 3 times a week for 8 weeks; the second group only received proprioceptive insoles to wear 8 h a day for 8 weeks. The postural stability parameters (center-of-pressure length, center-of-pressure velocity, and 95% confidence ellipse sway area) included three assessment times: baseline (T0), intermediate test (T1), post-test (T2), and retention test (T3). Data analysis showed a significant improvement in the experimental group compared with the control group, indicating a large effect size in center-of-pressure length, ellipse sway area, and center-of-pressure velocity at T2 and T3 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that a specific and detailed core stability training plays a significant role in improving balance and postural stability in young tennis players, especially in terms of preventing the risk of injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we tested the theory of angles that was proposed almost a century ago by the tennis player Henri Cochet. This theory proposes that expert tennis players should position themselves on the bisector of the angle of the opponent's possibilities in order to optimize shot return, suggesting a geometric occupation of the court relative to the opponent's affordances; namely what he/she is capable of doing. We tested this hypothesis by analysing player and ball positioning data from professional tennis matches recorded with a Hawk-Eye system. We compared this hypothesis with two alternative computational and probabilistic hypotheses which would consist in positioning oneself on the average or the median of the shots usually played from a given location. The results show that expert tennis players apply the principles of the theory of angles and thus confirm Henri Cochet's intuition. That is, for lateral court positioning, a geometric strategy is deemed optimal by expert players. It also appears that the more experienced the players are, the more precise their application of this strategy becomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tennis requires a high level of physical fitness, which requires the coordination and cooperation of all parts of the body. Sports injury is inevitable even for advanced professional students and athletes. Sports injury prevention has become an important task of tennis players' training and management. The aim of this paper is to explore a new method to prevent sports injury of tennis players based on optical imaging detection of cluster analysis. The optical imaging data of athletes are collected and processed by cluster analysis method. Firstly, image processing algorithm is used to extract feature points. Then cluster analysis method is used to cluster the feature points to obtain the movement characteristics of different parts of athletes. Finally, according to the obtained sports characteristics, a set of sports injury prevention strategy is designed. By training the sports data of different groups, the risk of Sports injury that athletes may face is predicted. The results show that the computer method of cluster analysis and Gaussian process regression can effectively predict the risk of Sports injury of tennis players, and provide corresponding prevention suggestions. This is of great significance to the management and training of tennis players, which helps to reduce the occurrence of Sports injury and improve the performance level and career durability of athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Engaging in a bi-weekly regimen that combines Change of Direction (CoD) and reactive agility (RA) activities within tennis training has been found to be an effective and time-efficient strategy. Additionally, this approach has demonstrated success in enhancing various aspects of emotional intelligence among highly skilled young tennis players. Tennis can be a mentally challenging sport, and emotional intelligence (EI) contributes significantly to an athlete's psychological well-being. Thus, this study investigated the effects of 6 weeks of a combined Change of Direction (CoD) and reactive agility (RA) intervention program on emotional intelligence (EI) in pubertal tennis players. A total of 28 youth tennis players, aged 11 to 14 years, were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EXP-G, n = 15, 13 boys [age = 13.34 ± 0.98 years, maturity offset (MO) = −0.19 ± 0.96], and 2 girls [age = 12.77 ± 0.23 years, MO = 0.78 ± 0.04]) or a control group (CON-G, n = 13, 8 boys [age = 13.37 ± 0.75 years, MO = 0.00 ± 0.71], and 5 girls [age = 13.50 ± 0.92 years, MO = 1.41 ± 1.07]). The EXP-G performed combined CoD and RA training across the 6-week intervention period. The CON-G continued with the normal five 20 min regular tennis-specific training sessions per week, including technical and tactical drills and a small-sided games format. The overall training volume was similar between groups. Pre- and post-training, Profile of Emotional Competence (PEC, [EC TOTAL: global score of emotional competence level; EC INTRA: score of intra-personal emotional competence; EC INTER: score of inter-personal emotional competence]) and d2 attention tests were assessed. The present study employed an Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) with pre-test covariance to assess between-group differences (EXP-G vs. CON-G) at the post-test phase, utilizing baseline values as covariates. Noteworthy outcomes were observed, indicating statistically significant and substantial between-group disparities at post-test for various measures. Specifically, these differences were evident in the attention domain (effect size, d = 1.08 [Large], p = 0.001), the EC TOTAL test (effect size, d = 0.70 [Medium], p = 0.017), the EC INTA (effect size, d = 1.35 [Large], p = 0.001), and the EC INTER (effect size, d = 0.83 [Large], p = 0.009) tests. Due to the importance of agility training for overall competitive performance in tennis, our results suggest that young players should perform such training programs as part of conditioning training if the goal is to improve emotional intelligence and mental well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]