tacou
G.O.A.T.
http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/american-men-may-be-about-to-dominate-world-tennis-again/
The first few paragraphs focus on American tennis, but midway through there are some interesting stats on why younger players are struggling to impact tennis today. Some excerpts:
"While top juniors from 1987 to 1996 climbed the pro rankings quickly, they peaked and began to decline on average six to seven years after going pro. On the other hand, top juniors from 1997 to 2006 started slower but stuck around longer — and are still near their peak today. "
"Top junior boys appear to be as competitive as they’ve always been. The proportion of the ATP top 100 who once ranked in the top 90 as juniors is exactly the same today as it was in 2006. It’s just that there aren’t as many spots open for newcomers because the old-timers are staying longer."
"A player in the top 100 today is on average 2.3 years older than he was in 2005; a player in the top 50 is now 3.1 years older; and a player in the top 25 is 4.1 years older. Today’s top 10 pros have spent, on average, 11 years in the top 100, 7 years in the top 10 and 4.5 years in the top 5."
The first few paragraphs focus on American tennis, but midway through there are some interesting stats on why younger players are struggling to impact tennis today. Some excerpts:
"While top juniors from 1987 to 1996 climbed the pro rankings quickly, they peaked and began to decline on average six to seven years after going pro. On the other hand, top juniors from 1997 to 2006 started slower but stuck around longer — and are still near their peak today. "
"Top junior boys appear to be as competitive as they’ve always been. The proportion of the ATP top 100 who once ranked in the top 90 as juniors is exactly the same today as it was in 2006. It’s just that there aren’t as many spots open for newcomers because the old-timers are staying longer."
"A player in the top 100 today is on average 2.3 years older than he was in 2005; a player in the top 50 is now 3.1 years older; and a player in the top 25 is 4.1 years older. Today’s top 10 pros have spent, on average, 11 years in the top 100, 7 years in the top 10 and 4.5 years in the top 5."
