Match analysis of women's wheelchair tennis matches for the Paralympic Games

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the differences between winning and losing a wheelchair tennis match in the 2012 Paralympic Games. Data from 67 sets of 32 matches played by 32 female players in the 2012 Paralympic Games were analysed. The variables were grouped into four groups: variables related to the serve, to the return, to winners and errors, and variables related to net points. Univariate (Wilcoxon test) and multivariate (discriminant) analyses of data were carried out to discriminate the result of the set (win or loss). The variables that best predict the result of the set are break points won and points won on the first serve. The results showed that the winning player is a more aggressive server and serve returner, achieves more winning shots than her opponent, and commits fewer errors during the match. The paper discusses the differences between conventional tennis and wheelchair tennis and the application of the results.