Multidimensional Predictors of Ranking-Based Competitive Success in National-Level Junior Tennis Players: Evidence for the Dominant Role of Physical Performance
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Methods
2.1. Participants
2.2. Study Design
3. Measures
3.1. Performance Outcome
3.2. Physical Performance Tests
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- Speed: 20 m sprint time;
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- Lower-body explosive power: standing long jump;
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- Agility: change-of-direction test;
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- Aerobic capacity: shuttle run test.
3.3. Executive Functions
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- Working memory (ADEXI-MM);
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- Inhibitory control (ADEXI-GAT).
3.4. Competitive Anxiety
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- Cognitive anxiety;
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- Somatic anxiety;
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- Self-confidence.
3.5. Statistical Analysis
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- Step 1: age and sex (control variables);
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- Step 2: physical performance variables (20 m sprint, standing long jump, agility, shuttle run);
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- Step 3: executive function variables (ADEXI-MM, ADEXI-GAT);
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- Step 4: psychological variables (CSAI-2 cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, self-confidence).
4. Results
4.1. Hierarchical Linear Regression Analysis
| Model | R2 | Adjusted R2 | ΔR2 | F Change p |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M1 | 0.713 | 0.697 | 0.713 | <0.001 |
| M2 | 0.781 | 0.739 | 0.068 | 0.064 |
| M3 | 0.787 | 0.730 | 0.006 | 0.645 |
| M4 | 0.795 | 0.711 | 0.008 | 0.801 |
4.2. Final Model Predictors
5. Discussion
5.1. Main Findings
5.2. Interpretation of Physical Dominance
5.3. Why Psychological Variables Were Not Significant
5.4. Integration with Theoretical Models
5.5. Practical Implications
6. Limitations
Future Directions
7. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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| Variable | Value |
|---|---|
| Age (years), mean ± SD | 13.72 ± 2.06 |
| Age range (years) | 11–18 |
| Males, n (%) | 20 (51.3%) |
| Females, n (%) | 19 (48.7%) |
| 11 years, n (%) | 6 (15.4%) |
| 12 years, n (%) | 7 (17.9%) |
| 13 years, n (%) | 7 (17.9%) |
| 14 years, n (%) | 7 (17.9%) |
| 15 years, n (%) | 3 (7.7%) |
| 16 years, n (%) | 3 (7.7%) |
| 17 years, n (%) | 5 (12.8%) |
| 18 years, n (%) | 1 (2.6%) |
| Variable | Mean ± SD | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | 13.7 ± 2.1 | 11 | 18 |
| Sprint 20 m (s) | 3.40 ± 0.26 | 2.82 | 3.90 |
| Standing long jump (cm) | 200.3 ± 27.5 | 156 | 286 |
| Agility (s) | 6.25 ± 0.56 | 5.35 | 7.86 |
| Shuttle run | 79.4 ± 23.3 | 50 | 151 |
| ADEXI-MM | 1.84 ± 0.41 | 1.11 | 2.78 |
| ADEXI-GAT | 2.52 ± 0.65 | 1.40 | 4.40 |
| CSAI cognitive | 1.75 ± 0.54 | 1.00 | 3.17 |
| CSAI somatic | 1.54 ± 0.44 | 1.00 | 2.83 |
| CSAI confidence | 2.76 ± 0.55 | 1.33 | 3.67 |
| Ranking points | 2615.1 ± 3655.6 | 260 | 18,350 |
| Predictor | B | SE | β | 95% CI for B | p | VIF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 0.499 | 0.074 | 0.962 | [0.347, 0.651] | <0.001 | 2.694 |
| Sprint 20 m | −1.234 | 0.760 | −0.299 | [−2.793, 0.326] | 0.116 | 4.453 |
| Standing long jump | −0.017 | 0.008 | −0.443 | [−0.033, −0.001] | 0.035 | 5.210 |
| Agility | −0.211 | 0.312 | −0.110 | [−0.851, 0.430] | 0.505 | 3.477 |
| Shuttle run | −0.006 | 0.007 | −0.137 | [−0.021, 0.009] | 0.395 | 3.304 |
| ADEXI-GAT | 0.112 | 0.197 | 0.068 | [−0.292, 0.517] | 0.573 | 1.857 |
| ADEXI-MM | −0.255 | 0.304 | −0.098 | [−0.879, 0.369] | 0.409 | 1.807 |
| Sex | 0.071 | 0.242 | — | [−0.426, 0.569] | 0.771 | 1.729 |
| CSAI cognitive | 0.096 | 0.233 | 0.049 | [−0.382, 0.575] | 0.683 | 1.841 |
| CSAI somatic | −0.223 | 0.280 | −0.092 | [−0.797, 0.351] | 0.432 | 1.747 |
| CSAI confidence | −0.106 | 0.211 | −0.054 | [−0.539, 0.327] | 0.619 | 1.528 |
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Géczi, R.; Géczi, G.; Tóth, L. Multidimensional Predictors of Ranking-Based Competitive Success in National-Level Junior Tennis Players: Evidence for the Dominant Role of Physical Performance. Sports 2026, 14, 253. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14060253
Géczi R, Géczi G, Tóth L. Multidimensional Predictors of Ranking-Based Competitive Success in National-Level Junior Tennis Players: Evidence for the Dominant Role of Physical Performance. Sports. 2026; 14(6):253. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14060253
Chicago/Turabian StyleGéczi, Rita, Gergely Géczi, and László Tóth. 2026. "Multidimensional Predictors of Ranking-Based Competitive Success in National-Level Junior Tennis Players: Evidence for the Dominant Role of Physical Performance" Sports 14, no. 6: 253. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14060253
APA StyleGéczi, R., Géczi, G., & Tóth, L. (2026). Multidimensional Predictors of Ranking-Based Competitive Success in National-Level Junior Tennis Players: Evidence for the Dominant Role of Physical Performance. Sports, 14(6), 253. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14060253

