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Performing best when it matters most: Evidence from professional tennis

Author

Listed:
  • González-Díaz, Julio
  • Gossner, Olivier
  • Rogers, Brian W.

Abstract

Stakes affect aggregate performance in a wide variety of settings. At the individual level, we define the critical ability as an agent's ability to adapt performance to the importance of the situation. We identify individual critical abilities of professional tennis players, relying on point-level data from twelve years of the US Open tournament. We establish persistent heterogeneity in critical abilities. We find a significant statistical relationship between identified critical abilities and overall career success, which validates the identification procedure and suggests that response to pressure is a significant factor for success.

Suggested Citation

  • González-Díaz, Julio & Gossner, Olivier & Rogers, Brian W., 2012. "Performing best when it matters most: Evidence from professional tennis," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 84(3), pages 767-781.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:84:y:2012:i:3:p:767-781
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2012.09.021
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Performance; Pressure; Heterogeneity; Critical ability; Career success;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D03 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles
    • L83 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Sports; Gambling; Restaurants; Recreation; Tourism

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