Match Analysis and Physical Performance of High-Level Young Tennis Players in Simulated Matches: A Pilot Study

Match Analysis and Physical Performance of High-Level Young Tennis Players in Simulated Matches: A Pilot Study

Objective: The aims of this study were to compare the kinematic characteristics of young tennis players at different competitive levels and to analyze the correlation between the Hit and Turn Tennis Test (HTTT) performance and the locomotor performance indices during tennis matches. Methods: Six national level and six regional level tennis players performed the HTTT and a tennis match. The match activities were monitored using GPS units. The distance covered in different speed zones and the numbers of accelerations were analyzed. The inference based on magnitudes was used to compare the match physical performance between groups. Results: The total distance (2716.7 ± 203.3 m vs. 1988.5 ± 346 m), high intensity running distance (42.7 ± 30.6 m vs. 11.8 ± 8.7 m), number of high intensity activities (20.8 ± 12.1 vs. 5.3 ± 4.8) and accelerations >1.5 g were greater in national level than in regional level players. The HTTT was moderately to highly correlated (Spearman’s test) to the total distance covered and the distance covered >15 km/h, and to accelerations >1.5 g. Conclusion: The present study showed that young tennis players of national level performed better than regional level ones during matches. In addition, the HTTT performance was positively correlated with match physical performance, evidencing its validity in tennis.