For the month of March, we will compare key stats of the pros vs college players.
The answer:
Top pros make over 5% more errors on return of serve than college players.
Why is this?
Are college players better returners? Obviously not. We have to look at the other side of the net to find the answer. Pros serve better, and draw more return errors.
Data below is based on 162,846 return points from 2022 to 2023 (WTA 89,925, NCAA-W 72,921):
WTA:
- 8 Return errors to every winner
- 1 in every 5 returns is an error
- WTA players hit almost double the amount of return winners to college players, but also make more errors
NCAA-W:
- 10 Return errors to each winner
- 1 in every 6.5 returns is an error
- NCAA-W get more returns in play compared to WTA players, attributable to lesser strength of serve
The quiz or exam in tennis is match play. Competition exposes both strengths and weaknesses. Each match requires a multitude of skills: serve, return, serve +1, return + 1, rallies, net appearances, strategy,… The list goes on. It is a combination of the performances in all of these areas that result in a win or loss. While your serve may have been the greatest contribution in your victory, you still had to return, rally and do other things well.
But, most players (and coaches) have no idea exactly why a player is winning or losing a match. Ask your coach what your winning % is on 2nd Serve Returns. Over the last 4 matches. Is there a common tendency in your errors?
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