Every week, Tennis Analytics dives deep into the data, bringing you a stat of the week to help you understand tennis better and become a little smarter.
For April, we will take a closer look at the winners and errors from over 1,000 ATP and WTA matches from 2021 and 2022, totaling over 156,000 points.
Stat of the Week: 20%
The highest error to winner ratio occurs on the return.
Return winners account for 1.5% of all winners, while return errors account for 21.3% of all errors. That’s a 19.8% difference!
- Match winners make 12 return errors for each winner
- Match losers make 18 return errors for each winner
- Errors account for 69% of points played – winners account for 31%
Point of the Week
The primary focus for the returner is to neutralize the serve.
Against the first serve the returner is more reactive – the server has a distinct advantage. The focus should be to get the ball back in play, ideally deep and to the middle of the court, reducing the opponent’s angles of attack.
Against second serves, however, the returner is generally more proactive, and should look for opportunities to attack. Make the server pay for missing a first serve.
How well do you return? Find out your return data with a Player Package.
Photo of the Week
Caroline Wozniacki’s forehand swing path.
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