(2019; Published in Tennis Pro, publication of the Professional Tennis Registry)
Domagoj Lausic
A stolen game is a game in which both players have a winning opportunity. It has a minimum of eight points, unless a no-ad scoring system is used. For example, if a returner has a breakpoint at 30-40 and does not convert it, but the server then wins the following three points, it can be said that the server ‘stole’ that game.
Stolen games bring a great deal of stress, drama, positive and negative emotions, and uncertainty. It typically lasts much longer than a regular game. The loser of the stolen game is likely to face a negative momentum shift (face a break point if serving or suffer an easy hold if returning) during the following game.
Analysis of the 2018 Nitto ATP Tour Finals revealed that the likelihood of a break point occurring following a non-stolen game was about 25%. However, the research showed that the probability of a break point following a stolen game was significantly higher.
Players’ ability and inability to change certain behaviors is truly fascinating. Researchers Prochaska and DiClemente studied how people change addictive and health behaviors.
A stolen game is a game in which both players have a winning opportunity. It has a minimum of eight points, unless a no-ad scoring system is used.
This study sought to examine changes in routine consistency with respect to optimal and nonoptimal arousal states. Idiosyncratic differences in routine patterns, both behaviorally and temporally were evident.
Verbal and nonverbal communication is a critical mediator of performance in team sports and yet there is little extant research in sports that involves direct measures of communication.