COMPARISON OF TENNIS BALL HITTING POWER FROM CLOSED AND SEMI-OPEN STANCES

The study aimed to determine the differences in forehand stroke power between closed and semi-open stances in tennis. The strokes of 8 retired performance tennis players were analyzed, comprising 4 women (20.25±3.40 years, 166.50±4.49 cm, 66±14.57 kg) and 4 men (21.50±2.89 years, 178.38±8.44 cm, 79.45±17.97 kg). In addition to ball speed, the explosive power of the lower limbs (Squat Jump, Countermovement Jump, Countermovement Jump with Free Arms), upper limbs (medicine ball throw) and wrist flexor strength were measured. The data analysis revealed an insignificant difference between the two hitting stances, with the ball achieving similar speeds (t=0.6624, df=7, p=0.529). The ball displacement from the closed stance showed insignificant correlations with the analyzed anthropometric and strength parameters. In contrast, the semi-open stance showed significant correlations with the results of the three forms of the medicine ball throw (overhead throw – r=0.85; forehand – r=0.78; backhand – r=0.78). Striking the ball from both semi-open and closed stances results in similar ball speeds. The speed achieved from a semi-open stance is associated with the explosive strength of the upper and lower body.