The aim of this study was to analyse shot selection in a wheelchair tennis (WT) tournament, comparing winning and losing players and evaluating the outcome of strokes. Sixteen men’s singles WT matches (comprising a total of 5,720 strokes) were analysed. Each match was recorded and the following variables were analysed: services, returns, groundstrokes and net shots. Additionally, all strokes were coded according to type of point (non-game point opportunity, NGO; game point opportunity, GO), outcome (error; rally; winner) and set outcome (winner; loser). A Z-test was used to assess differences between winning and losing players and between NGOs and GOs. The results showed that WT players make more errors (19%) than winning strokes (10.6%). Service and return shots make up about 55% of shots played during a point and volleys and smashes are infrequent (2.1%). Winning players hit more winners on service, return and groundstrokes than losing players. At the net losing players hit more winners than winning players, although they also made more errors. The critical situation (GO) could be not affect on game actions of WT points. These results and the differences between performances should be taken into consideration by wheelchair tennis coaches.

Resumen

El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer los tipos de golpeo en un torneo de tenis en silla de ruedas (WT), observar las diferencias entre ganadores y perdedores, y evaluar su resultado. Se analizaron 16 partidos individuales, con un total de 5720 golpes. Cada partido fue grabado y analizado en base a las siguientes variables: saques, restos, golpes de fondo y golpes de red. Además, cada golpeo fue codificado con el tipo de punto (sin oportunidad de ganar el juego –NGO-, o con oportunidad de ganar el juego -GO), con el resultado del golpeo (error, peloteo, o golpe ganador), y el resultado del set (ganador y perdedor). Se utilizó el test Z para comparar las diferencias entre ganadores y perdedores, así como las diferencias entre NGO y GO. Los resultados muestran que el jugador de WT realiza más errores (16%) que golpes ganadores (10,6%). Los golpes de saque y resto representan cerca del 55% del total de golpeos en un punto, y las voleas y remates no son frecuentes durante el punto (2,1%). Los jugadores ganadores hacen más golpes ganadores en saques, restos y golpes de fondo que los perdedores. En los golpes de red, los perdedores hacen más golpes ganadores que los jugadores ganadores, aunque también mayor número de errores. La situación de GO no parece afectar en las acciones de juego durante un punto en WT. Estos resultados deberían ser tomados en consideración por los entrenadores de tenis en silla de ruedas en los entrenamientos.

https://doi.org/10.5232/ricyde2017.04804

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