Gender and Age Influence in Pre-Competitive and Post-Competitive Anxiety in Young Tennis Players

To study the influence of age and gender on pre-competitive post-competitive anxiety self-confidence in young tennis players. A total 42 U’12 to U’18 category players, 12 females 30 males, participated this cross-sectional study. The players had a mean 13.74 (2.07) years old national competitive experience 4.00 (2.14) years. participants was assessed using Competitive State Anxiety Inventory–2R (CSAI-2R) Trait Inventory (STAI-E) before after an official tournament’s match. Results showed that younger lower trait (r = 0.333; p < 0.05), pre-match state 0.501; 0.01) somatic 0.313; 0.05). Furthermore, girls exhibited higher values 0.445; 0.440; than boys However, differences were not observed measured by STAI-E 0.203; 0.213), cognitive 0.140; 0.363), CSAI questionnaire 0.150; 0.333), Therefore, coaches sport psychologists should implement adequate on- off-court individualized interventions manage anxiety, specifically over 14 old. Although levels similar those COVID-19 pandemic, due pandemic mental health, results might be taken with caution.