Notational analysis of elite tennis players in contextual variables

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to identify the main performance differences among the top 3 male tennis players: Federer, Djokovic and Nadal. To do so, the players’ game statistics were gathered from the open access web domain. Firstly, the results from the Binomial Logistic regression allowed identifying the key contextual variables that affect the players’ performance. Then, performance profiles were done according to these variables that highly affected the players’ performance (game contexts). Secondly, the main results showed that each player has different performance profile than the other players. In addition, the contextual variables of court surface, round or quality of opposition were identified as those that best differentiated the players’ performances. This type of notational analysis is very useful for coaches and players due to the fact that allow controlling the game dynamics and training plans in top level tennis.