A comparison of service efficiency between players of male and female doubles at professional tennis tournaments

Abstract

Male and female players have a different quality of service. For example, men can reach\ra higher service speed, or use more ball spin. Tennis service has also a different efficiency\ron different surfaces. Every surface has specific characteristics and has different effects\ron ball impact and ball bounce. The aim of our study was to compare the amount of\rservice points won between male and female players in men’s and women’s doubles at\rATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) and WTA (Women Tennis Association) tournaments\ron three different surfaces. We observed a total of 303 matches. Matches were\rplayed on clay, hard and grass courts. With the help of match records, we found that men\rwon around 10% service points more than women. Results indicate that women’s doubles\rmatches show greater differences in performance between opponents. Men also need to\rwin more service points than women, to win a match. Fast surfaces provide a greater\radvantage for serving teams, both for men and women. The lowest serve efficiency was\rreached on clay (slow surface) both in the men’s and women’s doubles.