Abstract

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the effects of situation criticality on tennis performance of males and females. Specifically, it was hypothesized that males would come from behind after losing the first set and win the match to a greater extent than would females. To answer this question an archival study was conducted employing data from 19,300 amateur and professional matches played during 1977-1980. Matches were broken down into the following categories: singles, doubles, professionals, juniors, males and females. Result indicated that overall, after losing the first set, males (14) came back to win the match significantly more often than females (9). When looking at male-female differences for different levels of play (i.e. juniors vs professionals) and events (i.e. singles vs doubles), results were very consistent. For example male juniors came from behind to win significantly more often in both singles and doubles than female juniors. In addition, professional male players also came from behind to win significantly more often in both singles and doubles than professional females. These results are discussed in terms of DEAUXs (1977) expectancy of sex difference and LENNEYs (1977) review of womens self-confidence in achievement situations. Verf.-Referat