{"id":3584,"date":"2019-07-03T14:47:39","date_gmt":"2019-07-03T14:47:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tennisabstract.com\/blog\/?p=3584"},"modified":"2019-07-03T14:47:39","modified_gmt":"2019-07-03T14:47:39","slug":"visualizing-trends-in-net-play-across-five-decades-of-grass-court-tennis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tennisabstract.com\/blog\/2019\/07\/03\/visualizing-trends-in-net-play-across-five-decades-of-grass-court-tennis\/","title":{"rendered":"Visualizing Trends in Net Play Across Five Decades of Grass Court Tennis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Earlier this week, I wrote about one aspect of the long-term decline in net play: the widespread belief that approaching the net is <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tennisabstract.com\/blog\/2019\/07\/01\/net-play-has-declined-but-this-isnt-why\/\">more difficult<\/a> now because fewer players have a weaker side. I presented evidence indicating that most players still have a weaker side, which suggests that <em>all<\/em> groundstrokes&#8211;on both strong and weak sides&#8211;have gotten stronger, making net play a riskier proposition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If that is true, it is reasonable to assume that passing shot winners are more frequent (relative to the number of net approaches), and perhaps that volleys are more aggressive, resulting in more first-volley winners and first-volley errors. More powerful and precise strokes should, on balance, make net points shorter than they used to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We can begin to test these theories using the extensive shot-by-shot records assembled by the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tennisabstract.com\/charting\/meta.html\">Match Charting Project<\/a> (MCP). MCP data includes every men&#8217;s Wimbledon final and semi-final back to 1990, as well as many elite-level grass court matches from the 1970s and 80s. For the purposes of today&#8217;s study, I will use <em>only<\/em> Wimbledon semi-finals and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tennisabstract.com\/charting\/slamfinals.html\">finals<\/a>, plus a handful of other grass court matches from 1970-89 to complement the sparser Wimbledon data. This way, we know we&#8217;re comparing the elites of various generations to one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Contemporary net approaches<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let&#8217;s start by looking at what happens in a 2010s Wimbledon&#8217;s men&#8217;s final or semi-final when a player approaches the net. I&#8217;m excluding serve-and-volley points, and will do so throughout. I&#8217;m also excluding approach shot <em>winners<\/em>, which are often little more than gestures in the direction of the net following a big shot. (Even when they&#8217;re not, it can be difficult for charters to distinguish between approach and non-approach winners.) Thus, we&#8217;re looking at about 1,250 net approaches in which the other player got his racket on the ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ball came back almost 73% of the time, and on slightly more than half the points, the approaching player put his first volley (or smash, or whatever shot he needed to hit) in play. 19% of the points saw a second passing shot attempt put in play, and nearly 12% had a second net shot keep the point going. About 1 in 30 approach-shot points continued even longer, forcing the the netman to contend with a <em>third<\/em> pass attempt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The following visualization is a Sankey diagram showing how these net points developed. &#8220;App&#8221; stands for approach, &#8220;Unret&#8221; for &#8220;unreturned,&#8221; &#8220;Pass1&#8221; for &#8220;first passing shot,&#8221; &#8220;V1&#8221; for &#8220;first volley,&#8221; and so on. Mouse over any region of the diagram for a brief summary of what it represents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<svg id=\"sankey_svg\" height=\"600\" width=\"750\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.1\"><title>2010s Wimbledon Net Approaches<\/title><!-- Generated with SankeyMATIC on Wed Jul 03 2019 15:21:35 GMT+0200 (Central European Summer Time)--><g><rect width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" fill=\"rgb(255, 255, 255)\"><\/rect><g transform=\"translate(12,12)\"><g><path class=\"link\" d=\"M30,363.5710560852277C73,363.5710560852277 73,375.624 116,375.624\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 400.752; stroke: rgb(158, 202, 225); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Apps \u2192 Pass1 In:\n72.6%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M146,316.56C189,316.56 189,292.56000000000006 232,292.56000000000006\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 282.624; stroke: rgb(198, 219, 239); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Pass1 In \u2192 V1 In:\n51.2%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M262,239.84400000000008C305,239.84400000000008 305,247.10132464634293 348,247.10132464634293\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 177.192; stroke: rgb(107, 174, 214); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>V1 In \u2192 Unret V1:\n32.1%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M378,247.10132464634293C537,247.10132464634293 537,239.84400000000008 696,239.84400000000008\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 177.192; stroke: rgb(253, 208, 162); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Unret V1 \u2192 App&#8217;er Wins:\n32.1%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M30,87.57105608522778C73,87.57105608522778 73,75.62400000000002 116,75.62400000000002\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 151.248; stroke: rgb(107, 174, 214); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Apps \u2192 Unret App:\n27.4%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M146,75.62400000000002C421,75.62400000000002 421,75.62400000000008 696,75.62400000000008\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 151.248; stroke: rgb(253, 208, 162); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Unret App \u2192 App&#8217;er Wins:\n27.4%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M146,516.9359999999999C189,516.9359999999999 189,516.936 232,516.936\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 118.128; stroke: rgb(107, 174, 214); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Pass1 In \u2192 Unret Pass1:\n21.4%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M262,516.936C479,516.936 479,516.936 696,516.936\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 118.128; stroke: rgb(253, 208, 162); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Unret Pass1 \u2192 App&#8217;er Loses:\n21.4%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M262,381.15600000000006C305,381.15600000000006 305,412.41332464634297 348,412.41332464634297\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 105.432; stroke: rgb(230, 85, 13); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>V1 In \u2192 Pass2 In:\n19.1%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M378,391.713324646343C421,391.713324646343 421,375.0252228313713 464,375.0252228313713\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 64.032; stroke: rgb(253, 141, 60); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Pass2 In \u2192 V2 In:\n11.6%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M494,366.19322283137126C537,366.19322283137126 537,362.06840827161204 580,362.06840827161204\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 46.368; stroke: rgb(107, 174, 214); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>V2 In \u2192 Unret V2:\n8.4%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M610,362.06840827161204C653,362.06840827161204 653,351.624 696,351.624\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 46.368; stroke: rgb(253, 208, 162); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Unret V2 \u2192 App&#8217;er Wins:\n8.4%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M378,444.42932464634293C421,444.42932464634293 421,451.74122283137126 464,451.74122283137126\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 41.4; stroke: rgb(107, 174, 214); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Pass2 In \u2192 Unret Pass2:\n7.5%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M494,451.74122283137126C595,451.74122283137126 595,437.172 696,437.172\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 41.4; stroke: rgb(253, 208, 162); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Unret Pass2 \u2192 App&#8217;er Loses:\n7.5%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M494,398.2092228313713C537,398.2092228313713 537,418.084408271612 580,418.084408271612\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 17.664; stroke: rgb(253, 174, 107); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>V2 In \u2192 Rally Continues:\n3.2%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M610,421.67240827161197C653,421.67240827161197 653,411.22800000000007 696,411.22800000000007\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 10.488; stroke: rgb(253, 208, 162); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Rally Continues \u2192 App&#8217;er Loses:\n1.9%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M610,412.84040827161203C653,412.84040827161203 653,378.3960000000001 696,378.3960000000001\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 7.176; stroke: rgb(253, 208, 162); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Rally Continues \u2192 App&#8217;er Wins:\n1.3%<\/title><\/path><\/g><g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(0,11.947056085227786)\"><rect height=\"552\" width=\"30\" id=\"r0\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(49, 130, 189); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(24, 63, 92);\"><title>Apps:\n100%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"36\" y=\"276\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"start\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Apps: 100%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(116,2.5757174171303632e-14)\"><rect height=\"151.248\" width=\"30\" id=\"r1\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(107, 174, 214); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(52, 85, 104);\"><title>Unret App:\n27.4%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"36\" y=\"75.624\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"start\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Unret App: 27.4%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(116,175.24800000000002)\"><rect height=\"400.75199999999995\" width=\"30\" id=\"r2\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(158, 202, 225); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(77, 98, 110);\"><title>Pass1 In:\n72.6%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"36\" y=\"200.37599999999998\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"start\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Pass1 In: 72.6%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(232,151.24800000000008)\"><rect height=\"282.62399999999997\" width=\"30\" id=\"r3\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(198, 219, 239); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(97, 107, 117);\"><title>V1 In:\n51.2%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"36\" y=\"141.31199999999998\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"start\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">V1 In: 51.2%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(232,457.87200000000007)\"><rect height=\"118.12799999999999\" width=\"30\" id=\"r4\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(107, 174, 214); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(52, 85, 104);\"><title>Unret Pass1:\n21.4%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"36\" y=\"59.06399999999999\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"start\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Unret Pass1: 21.4%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(348,158.50532464634293)\"><rect height=\"177.192\" width=\"30\" id=\"r5\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(107, 174, 214); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(52, 85, 104);\"><title>Unret V1:\n32.1%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"-6\" y=\"88.596\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"end\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Unret V1: 32.1%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(348,359.69732464634296)\"><rect height=\"105.432\" width=\"30\" id=\"r6\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(230, 85, 13); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(112, 41, 6);\"><title>Pass2 In:\n19.1%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"-6\" y=\"52.716\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"end\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Pass2 In: 19.1%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(464,343.0092228313713)\"><rect height=\"64.032\" width=\"30\" id=\"r7\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(253, 141, 60); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(123, 69, 29);\"><title>V2 In:\n11.6%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"-6\" y=\"32.016\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"end\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">V2 In: 11.6%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(464,431.0412228313713)\"><rect height=\"41.4\" width=\"30\" id=\"r8\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(107, 174, 214); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(52, 85, 104);\"><title>Unret Pass2:\n7.5%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"-6\" y=\"20.7\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"end\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Unret Pass2: 7.5%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(580,338.884408271612)\"><rect height=\"46.367999999999995\" width=\"30\" id=\"r9\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(107, 174, 214); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(52, 85, 104);\"><title>Unret V2:\n8.4%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"-6\" y=\"23.183999999999997\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"end\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Unret V2: 8.4%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(580,409.252408271612)\"><rect height=\"17.663999999999998\" width=\"30\" id=\"r10\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(253, 174, 107); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(123, 85, 52);\"><title>Rally Continues:\n3.2%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"-6\" y=\"8.831999999999999\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"end\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Rally Continues: 3.2%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(696,7.815970093361102e-14)\"><rect height=\"381.984\" width=\"30\" id=\"r11\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(253, 208, 162); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(123, 101, 79);\"><title>App&#8217;er Wins:\n69.2%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"-6\" y=\"190.992\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"end\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">App&#8217;er Wins: 69.2%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(696,405.98400000000004)\"><rect height=\"170.01599999999996\" width=\"30\" id=\"r12\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(253, 208, 162); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(123, 101, 79);\"><title>App&#8217;er Loses:\n30.8%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"-6\" y=\"85.00799999999998\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"end\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">App&#8217;er Loses: 30.8%<\/text><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There&#8217;s a lot of information in the graphic, and it may not be entirely intuitive, especially hindered by my clunky design. Each region is sized based on what fraction of points developed in a certain way. As the regions move toward the right side of the diagram, they as classified by whether the approaching player won the point. As we can see, in the 2010s sample, these approach shots resulted in points won about 69% of the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The golden era<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To compare eras, we need more than just one decade&#8217;s worth of data. I separated the approach shots by decade (grouping together the 70s and 80s), and the most distinctive era turned out to be the 1990s, when <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tennisabstract.com\/cgi-bin\/player.cgi?p=PeteSampras\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pete Sampras<\/a> ruled the roost and many of his challengers were equally aggressive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Far more points were opened with a serve-and-volley: almost 81% in the 1990s compared to 7% in this decade. Even with the server claiming the net so early and so often, there were still many more <em>non<\/em>-serve-and-volley net approaches two decades ago. Then, there were about 85 &#8220;other&#8221; net approaches per match; this decade, there have been about 27. Thus, it is reasonable to assume that the typical net approach started from a less favorable position. These days, players only approach when the point has developed in a particularly inviting way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is another diagram, this one showing what happened following 1990s net approaches:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<svg id=\"sankey_svg\" height=\"600\" width=\"750\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.1\"><title>1990s Wimbledon Net Approaches<\/title><!-- Generated with SankeyMATIC on Wed Jul 03 2019 15:40:11 GMT+0200 (Central European Summer Time)--><g><rect width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" fill=\"rgb(255, 255, 255)\"><\/rect><g transform=\"translate(12,12)\"><g><path class=\"link\" d=\"M30,382.55154903757057C73,382.55154903757057 73,395.22 116,395.22\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 361.56; stroke: rgb(158, 202, 225); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Apps \u2192 Pass1 In:\n65.5%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M146,336.98400000000004C189,336.98400000000004 189,312.98400000000004 232,312.98400000000004\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 245.088; stroke: rgb(198, 219, 239); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Pass1 In \u2192 V1 In:\n44.4%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M30,106.55154903757057C73,106.55154903757057 73,95.22000000000008 116,95.22000000000008\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 190.44; stroke: rgb(107, 174, 214); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Apps \u2192 Unret App:\n34.5%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M146,95.22000000000008C421,95.22000000000008 421,95.22000000000003 696,95.22000000000003\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 190.44; stroke: rgb(253, 208, 162); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Unret App \u2192 App&#8217;er Wins:\n34.5%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M262,256.404C305,256.404 305,263.4997166065081 348,263.4997166065081\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 131.928; stroke: rgb(107, 174, 214); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>V1 In \u2192 Unret V1:\n23.9%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M378,263.4997166065081C537,263.4997166065081 537,256.404 696,256.404\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 131.928; stroke: rgb(253, 208, 162); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Unret V1 \u2192 App&#8217;er Wins:\n23.9%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M146,517.764C189,517.764 189,517.764 232,517.764\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 116.472; stroke: rgb(107, 174, 214); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Pass1 In \u2192 Unret Pass1:\n21.1%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M262,517.764C479,517.764 479,517.764 696,517.764\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 116.472; stroke: rgb(253, 208, 162); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Unret Pass1 \u2192 App&#8217;er Loses:\n21.1%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M262,378.948C305,378.948 305,410.0437166065081 348,410.0437166065081\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 113.16; stroke: rgb(230, 85, 13); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>V1 In \u2192 Pass2 In:\n20.5%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M378,382.9957166065081C421,382.9957166065081 421,366.3488048842487 464,366.3488048842487\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 59.064; stroke: rgb(253, 141, 60); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Pass2 In \u2192 V2 In:\n10.7%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M378,439.5757166065081C421,439.5757166065081 421,446.92880488424873 464,446.92880488424873\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 54.096; stroke: rgb(107, 174, 214); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Pass2 In \u2192 Unret Pass2:\n9.8%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M494,446.92880488424873C595,446.92880488424873 595,432.47999999999996 696,432.47999999999996\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 54.096; stroke: rgb(253, 208, 162); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Unret Pass2 \u2192 App&#8217;er Loses:\n9.8%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M494,358.34480488424873C537,358.34480488424873 537,354.2539671326305 580,354.2539671326305\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 43.056; stroke: rgb(107, 174, 214); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>V2 In \u2192 Unret V2:\n7.8%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M610,354.2539671326305C653,354.2539671326305 653,343.89599999999996 696,343.89599999999996\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 43.056; stroke: rgb(253, 208, 162); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Unret V2 \u2192 App&#8217;er Wins:\n7.8%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M494,387.8768048842487C537,387.8768048842487 537,407.7859671326305 580,407.7859671326305\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 16.008; stroke: rgb(253, 174, 107); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>V2 In \u2192 Rally Continues:\n2.9%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M610,410.8219671326305C653,410.8219671326305 653,400.464 696,400.464\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 9.936; stroke: rgb(253, 208, 162); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Rally Continues \u2192 App&#8217;er Loses:\n1.8%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M610,402.8179671326305C653,402.8179671326305 653,368.4599999999999 696,368.4599999999999\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 6.072; stroke: rgb(253, 208, 162); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Rally Continues \u2192 App&#8217;er Wins:\n1.1%<\/title><\/path><\/g><g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(0,11.331549037570573)\"><rect height=\"552\" width=\"30\" id=\"r0\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(49, 130, 189); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(24, 63, 92);\"><title>Apps:\n100%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"36\" y=\"276\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"start\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Apps: 100%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(116,7.815970093361102e-14)\"><rect height=\"190.44\" width=\"30\" id=\"r1\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(107, 174, 214); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(52, 85, 104);\"><title>Unret App:\n34.5%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"36\" y=\"95.22\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"start\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Unret App: 34.5%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(116,214.44000000000008)\"><rect height=\"361.55999999999995\" width=\"30\" id=\"r2\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(158, 202, 225); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(77, 98, 110);\"><title>Pass1 In:\n65.5%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"36\" y=\"180.77999999999997\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"start\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Pass1 In: 65.5%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(232,190.44000000000003)\"><rect height=\"245.08799999999997\" width=\"30\" id=\"r3\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(198, 219, 239); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(97, 107, 117);\"><title>V1 In:\n44.4%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"36\" y=\"122.54399999999998\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"start\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">V1 In: 44.4%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(232,459.528)\"><rect height=\"116.472\" width=\"30\" id=\"r4\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(107, 174, 214); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(52, 85, 104);\"><title>Unret Pass1:\n21.1%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"36\" y=\"58.236\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"start\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Unret Pass1: 21.1%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(348,197.53571660650812)\"><rect height=\"131.92799999999997\" width=\"30\" id=\"r5\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(107, 174, 214); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(52, 85, 104);\"><title>Unret V1:\n23.9%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"-6\" y=\"65.96399999999998\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"end\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Unret V1: 23.9%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(348,353.4637166065081)\"><rect height=\"113.16\" width=\"30\" id=\"r6\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(230, 85, 13); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(112, 41, 6);\"><title>Pass2 In:\n20.5%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"-6\" y=\"56.58\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"end\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Pass2 In: 20.5%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(464,336.8168048842487)\"><rect height=\"59.06399999999999\" width=\"30\" id=\"r7\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(253, 141, 60); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(123, 69, 29);\"><title>V2 In:\n10.7%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"-6\" y=\"29.531999999999996\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"end\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">V2 In: 10.7%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(464,419.88080488424873)\"><rect height=\"54.096\" width=\"30\" id=\"r8\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(107, 174, 214); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(52, 85, 104);\"><title>Unret Pass2:\n9.8%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"-6\" y=\"27.048\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"end\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Unret Pass2: 9.8%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(580,332.7259671326305)\"><rect height=\"43.056\" width=\"30\" id=\"r9\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(107, 174, 214); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(52, 85, 104);\"><title>Unret V2:\n7.8%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"-6\" y=\"21.528\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"end\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Unret V2: 7.8%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(580,399.7819671326305)\"><rect height=\"16.008\" width=\"30\" id=\"r10\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(253, 174, 107); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(123, 85, 52);\"><title>Rally Continues:\n2.9%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"-6\" y=\"8.004\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"end\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Rally Continues: 2.9%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(696,2.1316282072803006e-14)\"><rect height=\"371.496\" width=\"30\" id=\"r11\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(253, 208, 162); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(123, 101, 79);\"><title>App&#8217;er Wins:\n67.3%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"-6\" y=\"185.748\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"end\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">App&#8217;er Wins: 67.3%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(696,395.496)\"><rect height=\"180.504\" width=\"30\" id=\"r12\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(253, 208, 162); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(123, 101, 79);\"><title>App&#8217;er Loses:\n32.7%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"-6\" y=\"90.252\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"end\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">App&#8217;er Loses: 32.7%<\/text><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s striking to see that, back when net play was much more common, with a master such as Sampras dominating our sample, net approaches were <em>less<\/em> successful than they are today, resulting in a 67% win rate instead of 69%. However, it&#8217;s tough to know how today&#8217;s players&#8211;even a confident aggressor like <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tennisabstract.com\/cgi-bin\/player.cgi?p=RogerFederer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Roger Federer<\/a> or a volleying wizard like <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tennisabstract.com\/cgi-bin\/player.cgi?p=RafaelNadal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rafael Nadal<\/a>&#8211;would fare if they came forward four times as much. Assuming they pick their spots wisely, their success rate would be lower than 69%. The only question is how much lower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Contrary to my inital hypothesis, passing shots seemed to be higher-risk and higher-reward in the 1990s than in the 2010s. Two decades ago, only 65.5% of initial passing shot attempts were put in play (compared to 72.6% today), though nearly as many of those attempts resulted in winners (21.1% to 21.4%). It was the volleyers who were either more conservative or less powerful in the 1990s. Then, barely half of first volleys ended the point in the netman&#8217;s favor; now, the number is closer to 60%. Again, this could be because today&#8217;s players pick their spots more carefully, allowing them to hit easier first volleys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The early days<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We&#8217;ve seen how net approaches developed in the 1990s and the 2010s. It would be reasonable to assume that the 1980s (with several late &#8217;70s matches thrown in) were like the 1990s, but more so. Instead, the results are more of a mixed bag, with some characteristics that look like the &#8217;90s, and others that are closer to today&#8217;s numbers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is the diagram:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<svg id=\"sankey_svg\" height=\"600\" width=\"750\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.1\"><title>1980s Wimbledon Net Approaches<\/title><!-- Generated with SankeyMATIC on Wed Jul 03 2019 16:07:43 GMT+0200 (Central European Summer Time)--><g><rect width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" fill=\"rgb(255, 255, 255)\"><\/rect><g transform=\"translate(12,12)\"><g><path class=\"link\" d=\"M30,369.9978706621863C73,369.9978706621863 73,381.69599999999997 116,381.69599999999997\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 388.608; stroke: rgb(158, 202, 225); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Apps \u2192 Pass1 In:\n70.4%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M146,322.356C189,322.356 189,298.3560000000001 232,298.3560000000001\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 269.928; stroke: rgb(198, 219, 239); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Pass1 In \u2192 V1 In:\n48.9%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M30,93.99787066218632C73,93.99787066218632 73,81.69599999999997 116,81.69599999999997\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 163.392; stroke: rgb(107, 174, 214); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Apps \u2192 Unret App:\n29.6%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M146,81.69599999999997C421,81.69599999999997 421,81.69600000000003 696,81.69600000000003\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 163.392; stroke: rgb(253, 208, 162); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Unret App \u2192 App&#8217;er Wins:\n29.6%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M262,361.28400000000005C305,361.28400000000005 305,392.6354716574404 348,392.6354716574404\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 144.072; stroke: rgb(230, 85, 13); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>V1 In \u2192 Pass2 In:\n26.1%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M262,226.32000000000008C305,226.32000000000008 305,233.6714716574404 348,233.6714716574404\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 125.856; stroke: rgb(107, 174, 214); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>V1 In \u2192 Unret V1:\n22.8%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M378,233.6714716574404C537,233.6714716574404 537,226.32000000000002 696,226.32000000000002\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 125.856; stroke: rgb(253, 208, 162); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Unret V1 \u2192 App&#8217;er Wins:\n22.8%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M146,516.66C189,516.66 189,516.6600000000001 232,516.6600000000001\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 118.68; stroke: rgb(107, 174, 214); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Pass1 In \u2192 Unret Pass1:\n21.5%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M262,516.6600000000001C479,516.6600000000001 479,516.6600000000001 696,516.6600000000001\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 118.68; stroke: rgb(253, 208, 162); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Unret Pass1 \u2192 App&#8217;er Loses:\n21.5%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M378,363.6554716574404C421,363.6554716574404 421,347.11029044802655 464,347.11029044802655\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 86.112; stroke: rgb(253, 141, 60); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Pass2 In \u2192 V2 In:\n15.6%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M494,333.86229044802656C537,333.86229044802656 537,329.67073190574683 580,329.67073190574683\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 59.616; stroke: rgb(107, 174, 214); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>V2 In \u2192 Unret V2:\n10.8%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M610,329.67073190574683C653,329.67073190574683 653,319.05600000000004 696,319.05600000000004\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 59.616; stroke: rgb(253, 208, 162); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Unret V2 \u2192 App&#8217;er Wins:\n10.8%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M378,435.6914716574404C421,435.6914716574404 421,443.14629044802655 464,443.14629044802655\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 57.96; stroke: rgb(107, 174, 214); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Pass2 In \u2192 Unret Pass2:\n10.5%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M494,443.14629044802655C595,443.14629044802655 595,428.3400000000001 696,428.3400000000001\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 57.96; stroke: rgb(253, 208, 162); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Unret Pass2 \u2192 App&#8217;er Loses:\n10.5%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M494,376.91829044802654C537,376.91829044802654 537,396.7267319057468 580,396.7267319057468\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 26.496; stroke: rgb(253, 174, 107); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>V2 In \u2192 Rally Continues:\n4.8%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M610,402.24673190574686C653,402.24673190574686 653,391.63200000000006 696,391.63200000000006\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 15.456; stroke: rgb(253, 208, 162); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Rally Continues \u2192 App&#8217;er Loses:\n2.8%<\/title><\/path><path class=\"link\" d=\"M610,388.9987319057468C653,388.9987319057468 653,354.384 696,354.384\" style=\"fill: none; stroke-width: 11.04; stroke: rgb(253, 208, 162); stroke-opacity: 0.4;\"><title>Rally Continues \u2192 App&#8217;er Wins:\n2%<\/title><\/path><\/g><g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(0,12.301870662186314)\"><rect height=\"552\" width=\"30\" id=\"r0\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(49, 130, 189); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(24, 63, 92);\"><title>Apps:\n100%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"36\" y=\"276\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"start\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Apps: 100%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(116,-3.375077994860476e-14)\"><rect height=\"163.392\" width=\"30\" id=\"r1\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(107, 174, 214); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(52, 85, 104);\"><title>Unret App:\n29.6%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"36\" y=\"81.696\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"start\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Unret App: 29.6%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(116,187.39199999999997)\"><rect height=\"388.608\" width=\"30\" id=\"r2\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(158, 202, 225); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(77, 98, 110);\"><title>Pass1 In:\n70.4%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"36\" y=\"194.304\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"start\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Pass1 In: 70.4%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(232,163.39200000000008)\"><rect height=\"269.928\" width=\"30\" id=\"r3\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(198, 219, 239); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(97, 107, 117);\"><title>V1 In:\n48.9%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"36\" y=\"134.964\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"start\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">V1 In: 48.9%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(232,457.32000000000005)\"><rect height=\"118.67999999999999\" width=\"30\" id=\"r4\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(107, 174, 214); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(52, 85, 104);\"><title>Unret Pass1:\n21.5%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"36\" y=\"59.339999999999996\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"start\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Unret Pass1: 21.5%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(348,170.7434716574404)\"><rect height=\"125.856\" width=\"30\" id=\"r5\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(107, 174, 214); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(52, 85, 104);\"><title>Unret V1:\n22.8%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"-6\" y=\"62.928\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"end\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Unret V1: 22.8%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(348,320.5994716574404)\"><rect height=\"144.072\" width=\"30\" id=\"r6\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(230, 85, 13); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(112, 41, 6);\"><title>Pass2 In:\n26.1%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"-6\" y=\"72.036\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"end\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Pass2 In: 26.1%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(464,304.05429044802656)\"><rect height=\"86.112\" width=\"30\" id=\"r7\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(253, 141, 60); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(123, 69, 29);\"><title>V2 In:\n15.6%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"-6\" y=\"43.056\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"end\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">V2 In: 15.6%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(464,414.16629044802653)\"><rect height=\"57.959999999999994\" width=\"30\" id=\"r8\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(107, 174, 214); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(52, 85, 104);\"><title>Unret Pass2:\n10.5%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"-6\" y=\"28.979999999999997\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"end\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Unret Pass2: 10.5%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(580,299.86273190574684)\"><rect height=\"59.616\" width=\"30\" id=\"r9\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(107, 174, 214); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(52, 85, 104);\"><title>Unret V2:\n10.8%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"-6\" y=\"29.808\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"end\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Unret V2: 10.8%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(580,383.4787319057468)\"><rect height=\"26.496\" width=\"30\" id=\"r10\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(253, 174, 107); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(123, 85, 52);\"><title>Rally Continues:\n4.8%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"-6\" y=\"13.248\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"end\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">Rally Continues: 4.8%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(696,3.2862601528904634e-14)\"><rect height=\"359.904\" width=\"30\" id=\"r11\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(253, 208, 162); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(123, 101, 79);\"><title>App&#8217;er Wins:\n65.2%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"-6\" y=\"179.952\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"end\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">App&#8217;er Wins: 65.2%<\/text><\/g><g class=\"node\" transform=\"translate(696,383.90400000000005)\"><rect height=\"192.09599999999998\" width=\"30\" id=\"r12\" shape-rendering=\"crispEdges\" style=\"fill: rgb(253, 208, 162); fill-opacity: 0.9; stroke-width: 0; stroke: rgb(123, 101, 79);\"><title>App&#8217;er Loses:\n34.8%<\/title><\/rect><text x=\"-6\" y=\"96.04799999999999\" dy=\".35em\" text-anchor=\"end\" style=\"stroke-width: 0; font-family: serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; fill: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">App&#8217;er Loses: 34.8%<\/text><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the 1980s, nearly as many passing shot attempts were put in play as they are today, in contrast to the lower rate during the 1990s. First volleys are a similar story. When passing shot attempts came back, approaching players put a volley (or other net shot) back in the court about 70% of the time&#8211;similar numbers in the 1980s and 2010s, but a couple percentage points higher than in the 1990s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What is different is what happened next. In the 1980s, if the approaching player put his first volley back in play, it came back <em>again<\/em> 53% of the time. That rate is one of the few clear trends over time: It fell to 46% in the 1990s, 45% in the 2000s, and 37% in the 2010s. As a result, the &#8217;80s saw far more second volleys and points that extended even further, compared to more recent eras. The lack of first-volley putaways meant that net approaches only converted into points won about 65% of the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A cautious narrative<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no simple explanation that accounts for all of these numbers, because we are not seeing the direct result of a single factor, like the shift from wooden rackets or to more topspin-friendly string. Technological changes certainly have an impact, but as soon as the balance between approacher and opponent shifts, players adjust their strategy accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For instance, the rate of points won on net approaches appears to have steadily increased, from 65% in the 1980s to 67% in the 1990s to 69% today. The first rise could be attributed to racket technology, which gave aggressors more power and control. But the second rise came over a time period in which string technology offered more help to defenders. The higher rate of approach points won isn&#8217;t because players are better at it, it&#8217;s because they picked their spots more carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What we might focus on instead, then, is how much these diagrams look alike, even though they represent vastly different eras. While there isn&#8217;t exactly a net-approach-strategy equilibrium that has held through the decades, player decision-making has kept these rates from varying too wildly. If passing shot winners start going up, we&#8217;ll probably see even fewer approaches&#8211;with the remaining approaches in still more favorable moments&#8211;or a continued increase in the percentage of approaches to the backhand side. That&#8217;s another clear trend over the last few decades, but it&#8217;s a topic for another day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rather than succumbing to nostalgia and bemoaning the decline of net play, it&#8217;s better to celebrate the adaptability of tennis players at the highest level. While the game a whole has become more defensive, backcourt denizens from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tennisabstract.com\/cgi-bin\/player.cgi?p=BjornBorg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bjorn Borg<\/a> (94 approaches per charted grass-court match) to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tennisabstract.com\/cgi-bin\/player.cgi?p=NovakDjokovic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Novak Djokovic<\/a> (21 approaches per match) have reminded us that adjustments work in both directions. With parameters such as technology, surface, and opponent skills constantly changing, we can&#8217;t expect winning strategy to remain the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Thanks to <a href=\"http:\/\/sankeymatic.com\/build\/\">SankeyMATIC<\/a> for making it easy to create the diagrams.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Earlier this week, I wrote about one aspect of the long-term decline in net play: the widespread belief that approaching the net is more difficult now because fewer players have a weaker side. I presented evidence indicating that most players still have a weaker side, which suggests that all groundstrokes&#8211;on both strong and weak sides&#8211;have &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennisabstract.com\/blog\/2019\/07\/03\/visualizing-trends-in-net-play-across-five-decades-of-grass-court-tennis\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Visualizing Trends in Net Play Across Five Decades of Grass Court Tennis<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[65,77,96,122],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3584","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-match-charting","category-net-play","category-research","category-wimbledon"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tennisabstract.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3584","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tennisabstract.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tennisabstract.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tennisabstract.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tennisabstract.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3584"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.tennisabstract.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3584\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tennisabstract.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3584"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tennisabstract.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3584"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tennisabstract.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3584"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}