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 the next few weeks, we will explore the key differences between the Big 3 (Novak, Roger, and Rafa) and the NexGen 3, the highest-ranked next-generation players (Thiem, Medvedev, Tsitsipas). We know that Zverev should be thrown into the mix, but we went with the 3 highest ranked at the time.
*The data below is from 2018 through 2020 for the Big 3 and 2019 through 2020 for the NextGen 3.
Stat of the Week: 4%
Except for 1st Serve Points Won (which is 75% for both groups), the Big 3 were 4% better than our NextGen 3 in all other key match stats.
Below are the stats for each individual in our NextGen 3. Medvedev looks the best overall leading both return categories, while Tsitsipas is best on 1st serves.
Point of the Week
The majority of points are done within 4 shots, making each players’ 1st two touches key to the outcome of the point.
The Big 3 have figured this out. Younger players tend to rely on their own weapons early on, while experienced players know how to neutralize an opponent’s weapon as well, especially when returning.
Knowing efficiency and win percentage on serves and returns is key to player development. If you are a college coach or academy coach, we have match analysis packages that help you track player performance accurately and objectively over time.
Photo of the Week
Denis Shapovalov’s one-handed backhand.
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