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Who Has The Advantage? An Economic Exploration of Winning in Men's Professional Tennis

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  • Tomi Ovaska
  • Albert J. Sumell

Abstract

This study investigates the factors that determine winning in men's professional tennis. Using 27,388 tennis matches played on the men's singles ATP World Tour between 2000 and 2009, we estimate probit models which explain how several tournament, match, and player characteristics influence the probability of the higher ranked player winning the match. The results are used to confirm or dispel ten performance hypotheses concerning match outcomes. The results of the study provide insights into what matters to winning in head-to-head competitions, and are used to evaluate various economic issues such as how labor compensation, specialization, and experience can influence performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Tomi Ovaska & Albert J. Sumell, 2014. "Who Has The Advantage? An Economic Exploration of Winning in Men's Professional Tennis," The American Economist, Sage Publications, vol. 59(1), pages 34-51, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:amerec:v:59:y:2014:i:1:p:34-51
    DOI: 10.1177/056943451405900104
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Carsten Creutzburg & Wolfgang Maennig & Steffen Q. Mueller, 2024. "From bias to bliss: Racial preferences and worker productivity in tennis," Working Papers 075, Chair for Economic Policy, University of Hamburg.

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