Particularly mentally/psychologically. The most difficult one to master is probably serving. Tennis not only requires self-awareness of your strengths and weaknesses, but you also have to be able to analyze your opponent and pick out some areas to attack. Age, weight, heart function, and muscle mass are some of the factors which influence your VO2 max. When it comes to actually playing on court then most of these tasks come down to moving around quickly without being lazy or complacent. Players must move swiftly to hit the ball, understand their opponents strategy, and anticipate any incoming shots. Playing tennis requires not only strength, speed, and stamina but also precision, focus, and . But before that, is tennis hard compared to other sports? A tennis player does not have the luxury of a recovery jog between shots. They need split-second reactions as they make hundreds of decisions every match. Federer once said: Its a cruel sport. Take off traveling and accommodation expenses plus coaching fees and you can see they are lucky to break even. Tennis requires a distinct set of technical skills that sets it apart from other sports. Save 56% with this Sunny Health and Fitness Bike deal. The playing conditions It can be windy, sunny, rainy, it all can influence your ability on the day you play your match. Mental toughness is a crucial component of tennis. A tennis player can be playing up to around 500 shots in a match, more in a particularly lengthy contest. Yes Votes: 15 35.7% No Votes: 24 57.1% It depends on circumstances Votes: 3 7.1% Total voters 42 1 2 Next Fabresque Legend Apr 6, 2020 #1 I'm not necessarily sure this is the right forum for this topic, but let's discuss. So, is tennis one of the hardest sports in the world? Tennis is an intense game where some games are easier than others but all require your full attention and best effort each time you step onto the court. It may be a surprise at first, but as each skill set is considered, the conclusion makes sense. In this article, I will explain how hard tennis is compared to other sports, how difficult it is to learn tennis, it is demanding physically and mentally, and more about tennis and sports. But most fans only see the top players televised on the stadium courts. As if playing against an opponent isnt enough, every time your opponents succeeds at returning the ball back at you they force yet another decision on you: which shot are we going to use? Depending on your history with racket sports, natural skills, how well you will adapt, fitness level, training frequency, and teaching opportunities, it will take anywhere from a couple of months to multiple years Also, what you consider well-learned has a major effect as well to the overall learning time. 1 toughest sport to play? Tennis Is The Hardest Sport? | Page 3 | Talk Tennis Is table tennis the hardest sport in the world? Tennis is one of the most difficult sports to play and can be considered a sport where its talent, technique that make all the difference. This is equal to a soccer match, just without the 15-minute half-time break. They are not allowed to receive outside help. Then the winner will usually have to recover and prepare for a further match a day or two later and go through all those physical demands again. Tennis. If you enjoyed this article, be sure to sign up for our newsletter and we'll keep you up to date about new posts. Other sports, such as soccer and basketball, require good fitness at all levels. Players further down the rankings often have to share hotel rooms or sleep on couches just to be able to attend tournaments. ], Tennis Player Diet Revealed-Complete Tennis Nutrition Guide, How To Prevent Blisters on Your Hands and Feet In Tennis, What is a Tie Break in Tennis? Joke answer: (but also, I'm correct by your metrics) Chess-Boxing is the hardest sport. Top 12 Hardest Sports in the World. The fastest recorded mens serve is 263.4 km/h from Sam Groth, with Georgina Garcia Perez clocking up the fastest womens serve at 220 km/h. In Europe lower-ranked players can earn money playing club matches, otherwise, they are looking for endorsements to help cover costs just to break even. Combining physical and mental components, is tennis the hardest sport How Many Balls Do You Need to Play Quidditch? Despite the fact that other sports require different physical and mental skills, tennis players must encompass them all in one single game. Lack of endurance is a serious issue for tennis players. Tennis players are among the most superb athletes in world sport and this physicality is one of the prime reasons tennis is considered such a hard sport. Many have given up, or because they did not believe they could reach a high level. Source: UGC. Their data reported a player takes on average 10,680 steps during the course of one hours worth of singles tennis. You dont get benched in tennisyoure out on the court from the first minute of the game until the last. The opponent that you face, and the ball you receive. . Tennis kind of ranks high in all the different categories, but not the highest in any individual one. So, cardiovascular endurance plays a crucial role in tennis performance. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Soccer At ninth spot in the list of hardest sports to play will definitely be soccer. Additionally, professional tennis players experience an injury incidence rate of 3. Rafael Nadal is said to have a VO2 max of 85, which gives him an advantage on the fitness stakes over his rivals. According to a study made by ESPN, tennis is the 8th hardest sport after sports such as boxing and ice hockey. According to the ITF Global Tennis Report of 2019, 87 million people play tennis across the world. When youre on a team of one in professional tennis, you dont have other players to help you reach success or back you up when youre feeling overwhelmed with stress. For example, you need to know how to hold your racket correctly in order for it not fly out of your hand when making contact with the ball; this doesnt happen naturally so beginners have difficulty learning that part first before they can master other shots like lobs or drop-shots which are just as hard if not more complicated than forehands. . Tennis is an intense sport where you have to make decisions on-the-fly. Boxing is the most physically demanding, hockey takes the most technical skills, chess or snooker (if considered to be sports, I do) take the most mental skill and concentration. Tennis fitness requirements differ vastly depending on your style and whether you play singles or doubles. The test results show that tennis is the 8th hardest sport globally, behind sports such as boxing, ice hockey, and martial arts. They always seem to know right where the tennis ball will be coming from next making it easy for them just swat at it with their racket. VO2 max is a measure of a persons aerobic fitness, based on there being a maximum amount of oxygen a body can use when exercising. Technical tennis skills include serving, striking the ball, accuracy, errors, timing everything right, and things like that. Easiest and hardest sport to get a scholarship The regulations are very strict in this regard, but you can find that most sports usually allow for some type of support from coaches who have the opportunity to provide advice at halftime breaks as well as throughout the game itself where they might come over and offer tips while on break time with players. What is The Hardest Sport Mentally? Explained - SportProfy Required fields are marked *. Its combination of skill, agility, endurance, and strategy makes it a grueling and demanding sport. Start watching a lot of tennis matches and see how the pros play. Your email address will not be published. If you ever want to liven up a slow night at the sports bar, stand up and in a loud, clear voice say, "Tennis and gymnastics have got to be two of the toughest sports to play.". Got a question? (1 minute) is a game requiring precision and accuracy. Tennis is a highly strategic game requiring players to make quick decisions, improvise, and stay focused under pressure. It is an active sport that involves almost every part of your body, from your hands to your legs, eyes, and brain. However, tennis is the second hardest sport in hand-eye coordination right after table tennis. To prepare your body to quickly reach the ball and send it to the other side of the court, personal fitness is crucial. Below youll find my top tennis equipment recommendations would like. Tennis: One of the Most Underrated Sports in the World Be it a hard court which is a fast paced court, or a clay court which is slower. Ballet is more difficult to compare to football because it is both a sport and an art form. However, not everyone has had this luck, so you have to grit your teeth and continue alone. Its no wonder then that many people who try learning it think it might not be for them. Djokovic would relinquish the throne, as kings eventually do. What is the hardest sport in the world? Top 10 list of the - Briefly Look for more articles about tennis and tennis guides on YouTube. But, being able to serve and then rally the ball into the court with placement and spin is a different matter. Just see Isner-Mahut or the 2012 AO final if I need to remind you of how brutal this can be. 9. Lets take a look at how hard it is really to learn tennis. They considered the physical, technical, and mental strength needed. If you only focus on the bad moments of a match you are unlikely to iron out the problems that caused them and are heading for defeat. Text. If you want to play tennis to a high level, you need to be physically fit. It might be overwhelming to learn tennis at first, but with a good coach and enough time you will be hitting the ball like pros in no time. Similarly, agility is critical in tennis, as it enables players to move quickly and change directions efficiently, making it easier for them to hit the ball with precision. The survey creators, in order to avoid. The decision-making process in tennis is like a game of chess with the key difference being that you have to make decisions while simultaneously executing your actions. The level of your technique, athleticism, coordination and more. However, with the high-intensity nature of the game, there are also potential physical risks. No clock or time limit. Is tennis the hardest sport in the world. 7 per 1000 player-hours. Players who develop good cardiovascular fitness can maintain their speed, endurance, and agility on the court. New York, Passionate sports fans and players will also inevitably want their own sport to be the hardest! Huge skill. This takes us to the next subject. We have all seen the occasional tantrums, often unseen in other sports to the extent it is seen in tennis. The top players will also analyze their opponents and anticipate shots to help them get into position earlier to make their return. Luckily, finding court essentials like tennis nets and posts for home courts is easy and beneficial if you want to become a pro. Learning to manage your emotions rather than having them control you will allow you to reserve your energy for other areas of the game. Tennis Tennis requires a high level of Eye-hand coordination. 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For example, while a sport like weight-lifting requires enormous strength and power , it requires little else, giving it a low overall score. Adapting to different court surfaces is a challenge in itself without throwing in other natural factors such as temperature, humidity, and wind. The four different surfaces are: Each surface will have its pros and cons in the minds of each individual player who will find their particular strengths may be further enhanced by one particular court type. Tennis is often considered one of the most physically and mentally challenging sports in the world. However, if your server isnt good, you will be the one in trouble. How Many Games are Played in the Premier League? It has been said time and again that there are many skills you need in order for the game of tennis to be played. Tennis is a very fast-moving sport, which is something we'll dive deeper into when discussing coordination. The difference between football is that it requires more than just moving up the field; instead, a good player will need be able to move side-to-side as well. Tennis players need an all-around level of fitness, including good levels of endurance. So, the most interesting debate at the bar may be between the tennis fan and the boxing fan. In fact, it's arguably the world's 8th most difficult sport and the world's second difficult when it comes to hand-eye coordination. The following clip shows an intense Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic rally 5 hours and 23 minutes into a match, highlighting what incredible athletes the top professional tennis players are: Speed of thought and reaction times are crucial elements to becoming a good tennis player. 8 most difficult sports, respectively. How do you explain this to non-tennis players? This article should answer some questions about accuracy needed when playing as well as provide tips on what technique adjustments must be done in order for players not go missing nearly all shots. While tennis offers numerous physical benefits, playing the sport also poses potential physical risks. This game requires a lot of nerve than car racing and ski-jumping, where the levels . Tennis is just too intense! 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This is counterintuitive which makes it hard for many players who want more than just recreational hitting. Tennis is undoubtedly one of the most challenging sports, both physically and mentally, and it requires a unique combination of skill, mental strength, and strategy to excel. I believe if you can understand why tennis is hard to pick up, you'll gain a greater appreciation for the sport. It is an all-around mental challenge to match the all-around physical challenge of tennis. What Does a Wrestler Not Wear During a Match? So to advance to college and pro level takes years and 10s of 1000s of hours of dedication. Mental toughness in tennis can be defined as the ability to cope with the stress of competition, maintain focus, and stay composed even in the most challenging circumstances. Amid the mental stress, professional tennis players have to play with precision and coordination, using a bevy of different swinging and serving techniques to topple opponents. Playing on different court surfaces is what makes tennis difficult to play and learn. Is Tennis The Hardest Sport? (10 Facts) - Sports Centaur Tennis is the hardest sport there is : r/unpopularopinion - Reddit 8 most difficult sports, respectively. Tennis is certainly one of, if not the hardest of sports. Water polo came up on top, followed by gymnastics and swimming. According to a recent survey conducted by ESPN, tennis ranks as number 7 on the list of toughest sports globally, with gymnastics following at number 8. Taking gender and age into account an elite tennis player will have an average VO2 max of 65, compared to the normal average VO2 max of 40 to 50. Think about it: Some of the most popular sports in the world can end with a draw, but not tennis. Sure hitting a ball about and having a 2-3 shot rally with some friends is not that hard. he cant smash well? The VO2 max levels of elite tennis players re-iterates the fitness levels needed to compete at the top level of the game. The transition between different types of surfaces impacts every aspect of your game from how it physically affects you and the ball up until what strategy needs to be applied for success on that particular surface. Jan 1, 2011 #62 I think TT is one of the hardest sports because the spin, you need a clear mind, the exersice, reaction. A lot will depend on the style of play, match duration, the court surface, and the quality of the opponent at the other end of the court. Is tennis or badminton more difficult? To become a successful tennis player, players must be resilient, focused, and able to manage their emotions effectively. Is Tennis the Hardest Sport? 2023 Develop it, then move on. If you havent ever played tennis, your current level, and required training really depend on what you have been doing before. Additionally, tennis players are at risk of developing osteoarthritis in the upper extremities due to the repeated stress placed on the joints. What? ?s Fastest Man and Woman? As I said, technical skills are the hardest to master, which doesnt mean that physical skills are easy. The sport with the highest average was named the toughest sport to play by the experts. Where some people might find comfort in having a set plan that they can just follow through without thinking too much about their next move, those players will likely lose out when faced off against someone more skillful than themselves because they wont be able to adjust quickly enough or react as well if things go south. ESPN.com: Page 2 - Sport Skills Difficulty Rankings What is the hardest sport to play in the world in 2023? ESPN published an in-depth analysis and concluded that tennis was the 7th most challenging sport when considering their list of factors which included things such as endurance, speed, and power. Is tennis mentally, the toughest sport? - Sportskeeda 4 Responses. Its combination of skill, agility, endurance, and strategy makes it a grueling and demanding sport. What Happens If You Touch the Net in Volleyball? This may not seem like an issue, but there's always an end in sight with football or basketball. What is the hardest part in the game table tennis? - Lsleds Ons Jabeur becomes the latest player to be overcome after defeat in a Wimbledon final as she labels Saturday's loss the "most painful" of her career. Tennis is a very fast-moving sport, which is something well dive deeper into when discussing coordination. Sure, its glamorous at the top. The mental side of the game is considered to be the most difficult part of the game. Every sport has its own challenges before you can be considered an accomplished player, but the range of skills needed to play tennis can set it apart. Overall fitness is required if you want to endure and get through a full tennis match that often lasts at least 90 minutes if its a best of 3 and only longer if its a best of 5. How Much Do Tennis Hitting Partners Make? Players cant rely on teammates to alleviate the pressure during crucial moments. When youre the only team member, dealing with losses after hours of playing on the court can be particularly tough. Did you sleep well? It goes without saying that professional athletes who know their limits shouldnt be afraid if they ask themselves these questions- but should we go any further than this navel gazing or put aside thoughts on what constitutes an acceptable level of load at all levels from academy teams up through elite competition (whatever you might call them)? In fact, according to a recent survey of experts by ESPN, tennis and gymnastics ranked as the No. What Is the Hardest Sport, Including Ballet? - Sportsmanist Many people consider tennis one of the hardest sports to learn, due to the need for hand-eye coordination, flexibility, agility, strength, and speed. Therefore, tennis players should take steps to prevent injuries, such as wearing appropriate footwear, warming up adequately, and modifying their playing techniques. [The Basics] What Do Tennis Court Lines Mean? Let us know in the comments below! Are you confident? I will use a few facts and statistics to help illustrate the points. Overall, tennis is harder to learn than most sports because acquiring the skills needed in tennis, such as serving, hand-eye coordination, and strokes are harder to learn than running and kicking in soccer or hitting the ball in baseball. Have you done any other sports, other racket sports such as table tennis or badminton, hitting the gym, jogging, or have movies and streaming services been your thing? The stats back up the reasoning why many people take up tennis to improve their fitness. To react physically and adjust the body and racket position to make a return is a hard skill to learn. Tennis though has at least three substantially different surfaces so its important not get too comfortable playing exclusively on any given surface because change is inevitable whether its due physical factors like temperature affecting playability or simply switching things up strategically according to situation.