Investigating the most important aspect of elite grass court tennis: Short points

Research has shown that short points (points of 0–4 shots) are crucial in determining the outcome elite men’s and women’s grass court tennis matches. However, research not explored importance more detail to inform practice design. This study aimed establish prevalence individual rally lengths within (i.e. 0, 1, 2, 3 4 terms winning Using recently-validated PWOL ( Percentage matches which Winner Outscored Loser) method, point-level data from 211 209 Wimbledon singles between 2015 2017 were analysed, with stratified into lengths. Results revealed 1 shot (aces missed serve-returns) was most common length, 0 shots (double faults) least common. Points won shot, 2 associated can therefore be considered important, but match outcome. These results highlight serving returning strategies at Wimbledon, indicate serves serve-returns should afforded focus during training. findings appear contravene anecdotal assertions ‘serve plus one’ tennis, as they did differentiate losing players; so coaches consider designs amount time such strategies.