Tennis Statistics that Decide Matches
Players like Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic win around 55% of the points they play, yet they win around 80% of their matches. This shows that small differences decide tennis matches. This article will explore the most critical match statistics and how you can improve your game with tennis statistics by Zenniz.
Zenniz brings players detailed pro-level statistics that let you take your matches to the next level.
The most important match statistics presented in this article are:
First serve percentage
First serve points won
Second serve points won
First serve return points won
Short rallies (1-4 shots) won
The Role of Match Statistics
Unlike the shot analytics by Zenniz, which focus on how you hit the ball and where, match statistics focus on the outcome of points, rather than how they are played. Tennis statistics give you a picture of your effectiveness in different areas of your game, helping you understand why matches are won or lost. Zenniz brings detailed tennis statistics to players of all levels. Get into the details of your game with Zenniz!
Tennis statistics have been of interest to coaches and professional players for years. Statistics displayed on TV in professional matches also interest spectators, and the statistics shown to players and fans are getting more accurate and detailed. Tennis statistics give an overview of your weaknesses and strengths, helping you improve your game.
Key Match Statistics
Understand your match performance! There has been a lot of debate on which tennis statistics are most important to excel in and there is no one right answer. Every player and every match are different so all players shouldn’t focus on the same stats.
Play with your strengths and try to do well in statistics that matter in your game. However, there are some specific statistics that all great players thrive in, try focusing on these tennis statistics to win more matches.
Tennis statistics that often decide matches include:
First Serve Percentage and First Serve Points Won:
These metrics show how effectively you start the point on serve. A high first serve percentage keeps the pressure on the opponent, not giving them chances to take control of the points when returning. Winning a lot of points on your first serve shows that you can dominate the points from the start.
Second Serve Points Won:
Winning points on the second serve indicates that your second is difficult to attack. It shows you can win points from neutral and defensive positions, or even take control of points with your second serve.
First Serve Return Points Won:
This metric demonstrates your ability to neutralize the opponent’s first serve, allowing you to stay in a neutral position when returning. This will result in more break chances and more points won.
Short Rallies (1-4 shots) Won:
Most tennis points are short. If you dominate rallies that are between 1-4 shots, you have a good chance of winning the match. Setting the tone of the point by taking control at the beginning of the rally is crucial.
Serve and return are often talked about as the most important shots in tennis. If you serve well, return well, and execute the first few shots effectively, you’ll gain the upper hand against your opponent. Understand how you are serving and returning by looking at the statistics from those shots.
Read this article on serve effectiveness by the ATP Tour to better understand what goes into an effective serve. Remember to practice your serves and returns, as tennis statistics show that serve and return statistics often decide matches.
Turning Statistics into Victories
Seeing how you do in these statistics is one thing, but the real value comes from implementing the insights into matches and practice sessions. Turn statistics into knowledge about your game. With that knowledge, you can tailor your practice sessions, construct strategies for upcoming matches, and make informed decisions on the court.
Here’s how you can incorporate tennis statistics into your training and matches.
Tailor Your Training Sessions
Use Zenniz’s statistics to tailor your training sessions according to your needs. If your first serve percentage is low, we recommend our Serve to Target drill, a game that improves your serve accuracy and consistency.
If you’re struggling in short rallies, focus on serve + 1 drills where you try to take control of the point with the first shot after your serve.
Remember to not only focus on weaknesses but also strengthen your weapons.
Match Strategies
Check the stats from your previous games before you head into a match. If you know you are losing many points on your second serve, try increasing the percentage of your first serve.
If you are missing a lot of returns, try to take a step back and return with big margins.
If you strive in longer rallies, avoid making a mistake in the first few shots of a rally.
Track Progress
The Zenniz App helps you track your match statistics over time. Set goals for your matches!
You could for example aim to have a first serve percentage over 70% or to return 80% of second serves in the court. Also, see if the things you have practiced are transitioning into your matches.
Data-Driven Tennis
Use the power of Zenniz and data to your advantage on your journey to become a better tennis player. Zenniz offers accurate tennis statistics that help you understand your performance.
Combine the video replay and shot maps by Zenniz to better understand your performance. Zenniz is your personal data analyst who analyzes every shot in a match.
Focus on the important serve & return statistics to win more matches. Tailor your training and strategies to fit your stats. Identify your weaknesses and strengths and try to find a balance in practicing both.
Want to try out Zenniz yourself?
