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2011 | Book

The Federer Phenomenon and His Secret Weapon Read chapter Read first chapter

Paradigm Shift for Future Tennis

The Art of Tennis Physiology, Biomechanics and Psychology

Authors: Tijana T. Ivancevic, Bojan Jovanovic, Sasa Jovanovic, Milka Djukic, Natalia Djukic, Alexandar Lukman

Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg

Book Series : Cognitive Systems Monographs

Part of: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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About this book

The book “Paradigm Shift for Future Tennis” starts with revelations that make obvious the limitations of today’s tennis, which does not use the laws of modern Biomechanics and Neurophysiology. The second part of the book includes a new approach to the quantum mind of a champion. It will reveal the secret weapon of Roger Federer and the blueprint of a future tennis champion. This book will expose the new tennis shot emerging from the field of sports science. It is a real weapon, which can generate a ball-speed similar to that of the first serve: the Power High-Forehand. Its aim is to generate maximal possible racket-head speed while players do not wait for the ball to bounce. This is both a tactical and psychological basis for the future tennis game. This aggressive interceptive psychology will shape the minds of future tennis champions. High racket-head speed can be achieved using the stretch-reflex, without big loops and swings. Weapons of a future tennis game will comprise of whip-like tennis serves and ground strokes, based on the stretch–reflex, and using the whole body in a fluid and integrated manner, thus manifesting a superb combination of speed and strength. Restructure your brain and apply the power of state of the art biomechanical, mathematical, medical, neural, cognitive, and quantum computational intelligence to understand the tennis of today and the future!

Table of Contents

Frontmatter

The Laws of Core Future Tennis Science

Frontmatter
The Federer Phenomenon and His Secret Weapon
Abstract
The momentous five-setter in a historic Wimbledon 2009 final, eventually ended when Federer broke Roddick’s serve for the first time all day (he himself was broken in the fourth set), with Roddick missing on a forehand. Federer had a total of 107 winners and 38 unforced errors (which is a W/E factor of 107/38=2.8). Roddick, on the other hand, had 74 winners and 33 unforced errors (a W/E factor of 2.2). Hence, the real difference in these statistics is the incredible number of Federer’s winners. How does he make so many winners?
Tijana T. Ivancevic, Bojan Jovanovic, Sasa Jovanovic, Milka Djukic, Natalia Djukic, Alexandar Lukman
The Law of Muscular Structure and Function
Abstract
From the scientific perspective, the common term “muscle memory,” so popular among coaches and players, is shear nonsense. If neural motor pathways are damaged there is no any “muscle memory” left. This means that all the motor memory (containing all acquired motor skills) is in the neural system, not in the muscles. Muscles have their structure and function (of generating muscular force), they can be exercised and trained in strength, speed, endurance and flexibility, but they are still only dumb effectors (just like excretory glands). They only respond to neural command impulses. To understand the process of training motor skills one needs to know the basics of neural motor control. Within the motor control muscles are force generators, working in antagonistic pairs. They are controlled by neural reflex feedbacks and/or voluntary motor inputs. If any of these neural pathways are damaged, muscles are dead flesh without any memory left (see The Law of Neuro-Motor Control).
Tijana T. Ivancevic, Bojan Jovanovic, Sasa Jovanovic, Milka Djukic, Natalia Djukic, Alexandar Lukman
The Law of Functional Anatomy
Abstract
Classical tennis serve has three stages: (i) the ball toss, (ii) the jump, and (iii) the finishing smash.
(i) In the case of a right–handed player (like Federer), the ball toss is thrown with the left arm. The feet are apart, and the ball toss is performed with the contractions of the left deltoideus, the biceps and the palmar flexors muscles. This movement is done simultaneously with two other preparatory actions.
The first one of these preparatory actions is raising the right arm, “loading”. The muscles used to carry this out are the right deltoideus, supraspinatus (a muscle going over the shoulder blade) and the biceps brachii. The second action is bending the knees, and thus preparing for the second stage of the serve (the jump). There are no flexor muscles used to bend the knees, for the bending of knees is accomplished by gravity alone (actually, leg–extensors are used in eccentric fashion).
(ii) The first–serve jump is performed high and forward. It is achieved by instantaneous actions of all the leg extensor muscles; left and right soleus, quadriceps femoris and gluteus maximus muscles. Jumping is the second part of “loading” in the serve. At the same time as the player lifts off, the racquet is placed behind the body, in a “back–scratching” position, and the right shoulder’s rotation towards the ball begins. This movement involves the right biceps brachii and wrist extensor muscles. While in the air, the feet naturally join together (with Federer, the feet join in the air, not on the ground).
(iii) The finishing smash takes place in the air, before the player returns to the ground. To end the serve, the shoulders are rotated and the ball is hit simultaneously. By then, the shoulders should have been fully rotated and the feet prepared for landing. The internal and external obliques abdominal muscles complete the shoulder rotation. Hitting the ball is performed by the latissimus dorsi, then pectoralis major and finally triceps brachii muscles. To add a bit of spin or slice to the serve, the wrist is flicked slightly at the end, using the palmar flexors.
Tijana T. Ivancevic, Bojan Jovanovic, Sasa Jovanovic, Milka Djukic, Natalia Djukic, Alexandar Lukman
The Law of Energy Flows
Abstract
There are three different energetic resources for any kind of muscular work, including tennis (see Appendix 1):
1
ATP–CP (or, anaerobic alactatic) system, which lasts 10–15 seconds, uses stored ATP and creatine phosphate (CP), with no by–products. This energy source is related to speed and strength. It is essential for the serve and winning shots in tennis.
 
2
Glycolysis (or, anaerobic lactic) system, which lasts 15 seconds – 3 minutes, uses blood glucose and muscular glycogen to make ATP; its by–product is lactic acid. This energy source represents anaerobic endurance. It is essential in long, exhausting tennis relays.
 
3
Aerobic system, which lasts from 2–3 minutes to several hours, uses glucose, glycogen, fats, and proteins to make ATP within the aerobic energy pathway; its by–products are carbon dioxide and water. This energy source represents aerobic endurance. It is essential in the fourth and fifth set of any serious tennis match.
 
Tijana T. Ivancevic, Bojan Jovanovic, Sasa Jovanovic, Milka Djukic, Natalia Djukic, Alexandar Lukman
The Law of Basic Biomechanics
Abstract
A topspin shot is hit by sliding the racquet up and over the ball as it is struck. By dragging the racquet over the ball, the friction between the racquet’s strings and the ball is used to make the ball spin forward, towards the opponent. The shot dips down after impact and also bounces at an angle lower to the ground than a shot hit with no topspin. As a ball travels towards a player after bouncing, it has natural topspin that is caused by the friction of the tennis court. When hitting a topspin shot, the player is reversing the spin of the ball, which requires more energy.
Tijana T. Ivancevic, Bojan Jovanovic, Sasa Jovanovic, Milka Djukic, Natalia Djukic, Alexandar Lukman
The Law of Neuro-motor Control
Abstract
All of the body’s voluntary movements are controlled by the brain. One of the brain areas most involved in controlling these voluntary movements is the motor cortex (see Figure 6.1).
In particular, to carry out goal–directed tennis movements, your motor cortex must first receive various kinds of information from the various lobes of the brain: information about the body’s position in space, from the the parietal lobe; about the goal to be attained and an appropriate strategy for attaining it, from the anterior portion of the frontal lobe; about memories of past strategies, from the temporal lobe; and so on.
Tijana T. Ivancevic, Bojan Jovanovic, Sasa Jovanovic, Milka Djukic, Natalia Djukic, Alexandar Lukman
The Law of Cognition
Abstract
The main topics of sports psychology are: (i) motor (and general) learning; (ii) behavioral patterns (e.g., fight-or-flight); (iii) visualization; (iv) concentration; (v) relaxation strategies; (vi) self talk (introspective thought) strategies; (vii) arousal strategies; and (viii) stress management. We will talk about each of them in some detail in this book.
Tijana T. Ivancevic, Bojan Jovanovic, Sasa Jovanovic, Milka Djukic, Natalia Djukic, Alexandar Lukman
The Law of High Performance
Abstract
The overriding principle governing general sports performance is the attempt of an individual, or a group of individuals, to perform a given task “in the best possible way.” In this chapter we will focus on biomechanical and physiological principles of the performance optimization in the future tennis game. For the tennis performance criteria one can use the 10 points of the standard tennis game statistics (in brackets are the current ranks of Roger Federer, the greatest tennis champion, on October 22nd 2007, as given by ATPtennis.com):
  • Service game: (i) number of aces (4), (ii) 1st serve percentage (29), (iii) 1st serve points won (6), (iv) 2nd serve points won (1), (v) service games won (3), and (vi) break points saved (8).
  • Return of service: (vii) points won returning 1st serve (4), (viii) points won returning 2nd serve (17), (ix) break points converted (36), and (x) return games won (10).
Tijana T. Ivancevic, Bojan Jovanovic, Sasa Jovanovic, Milka Djukic, Natalia Djukic, Alexandar Lukman
The Law of Athleticism
Abstract
Running fast is the direct result of the athletes stride rate and stride length. Now, the question is how do one maximizes both of these to achieve top–level performances in the sprints, or fastest runs on the court. One cannot have a maximum stride length and stride rate and be their fastest; what is needed is a maximum stride rate with an optimal stride length. Maximal stride rate is how fast one can produce one stride, or about 10 of them in 20 meters. Stride rate is dependent upon a number of factors including, strength and mechanics. In order to produce greater stride rates one must be able to execute the correct stride cycle as fast as possible and with optimal length. Optimal stride length is one that allows the athlete to execute the correct stride pattern in as short a time frame as possible.
On the other hand, ground time is the largest contributor to stride rate. It is known that almost all athletes spend approximately the same amount of time in the air during the sprint stride. The big difference comes in the amount of time spent on the ground. The goal of all sprinters and fast-legged tennis players should be to spend as little time on the ground as possible. In order to achieve this, they need the necessary plyometric strength (explained later) to get them through the correct cycle.
Also, during the short sprints on the court, at each leg joint the musculo-tendinous units absorb force by stretching (eccentric) just before they shorten (concentric) to generate the take–off force.
Tijana T. Ivancevic, Bojan Jovanovic, Sasa Jovanovic, Milka Djukic, Natalia Djukic, Alexandar Lukman
The Law of Muscular Slingshots
Abstract
The basic idea of coaches and players, as well as the simplistic biomechanics of loops and swings in tennis shots (serve, forehand and backhand) are derived from the concept of a simple physical pendulum. An arm with a hand holding a racket has been seen as a more-or-less single rigid body, with no more than 3 degrees of freedom (DOF). And really, if you have a robotic arm with only 3 DOF, and you want to hit a ball with it, then you need to have a loop; and, even more, if you want to hit the ball hard, you need to have a big swing. That is absolutely true. In a language of modern biomechanics, “its phase space is a simple circle.” That is how we originally got our current loops – to play “nice tennis”, and swings – to be able to “hit hard”. In particular, you need a big swing as you want to use all the potential energy of the racket’s weight, so, as a preparation for the shot (say, forehand), you lift the racket–head as high as possible along the circle (that is, above your head). This is the common picture behind all loops and swings in tennis. Although simple to understand, it is not as easily implemented, which is where the many expensive lessons on the court come in. This system has produced thousands of young tennis players, hitting the ball in virtually the same way, with the same distinguished tennis movements: loops and swings.
Tijana T. Ivancevic, Bojan Jovanovic, Sasa Jovanovic, Milka Djukic, Natalia Djukic, Alexandar Lukman
The Law of Whip-Like Movements
Abstract
Biomechanical term for the whip–like movement is the kinetic chain: the sequential flow of energy and momentum from bigger segments to smaller ones. Tennis requires sequenced activation of muscles and movement of bones and joints to achieve the motions, positions, and velocities seen in a player. This sequencing is known as the kinetic chain. Kinetic energy and momentum, as well as muscular power, are developed from the legs, hips and trunk muscles and transferred to the arm muscles. This allows the energy, momentum and power to be transferred efficiently to the hands, moving the racquet-head with maximum speed to the ball.
Tijana T. Ivancevic, Bojan Jovanovic, Sasa Jovanovic, Milka Djukic, Natalia Djukic, Alexandar Lukman
The Newton-Euler Biomechanics Law
Abstract
Modern biomechanics is rotational (see Figure 12.1) and can be formulated using Newton-Euler, Lagrangian or Hamiltonian formalism (see Appendix 2).
Tijana T. Ivancevic, Bojan Jovanovic, Sasa Jovanovic, Milka Djukic, Natalia Djukic, Alexandar Lukman
The Law of Superb Weapons
Abstract
Each effective tennis shot, be it a serve, a forehand or a backhand, is a whip–like movement performed by a complex coordination of all the body’s segments working to place the racquet in the correct position at the right time and apply the maximal summed force to the tennis ball.
As we already emphasized several times, the best power (strength + speed) exercise for both serve and forehand (and even for single-handed backhand) is a javelin throw. Not only that, but all speed and strength exercises practiced by elite javelin throwers are perfectly suited for future champion tennis players.
In short, a superb serve, forehand and backhand are whip–like movements, each composed as a cascade of stretch–reflexes in all major joints, starting from the feet and ending with the hitting hand.
Tijana T. Ivancevic, Bojan Jovanovic, Sasa Jovanovic, Milka Djukic, Natalia Djukic, Alexandar Lukman
The Law of Blitz-Chess
Abstract
Like in any other sport game, the important part of the tennis game is tactics. Current tennis tactics will be slightly simplified in the future tennis game, as, due to the highly–increased speed of the ball, long rallies will rarely exist. Therefore, this “tennis chess” will consist of up to 3–4 movements at any one time.
Tijana T. Ivancevic, Bojan Jovanovic, Sasa Jovanovic, Milka Djukic, Natalia Djukic, Alexandar Lukman
The Law of Artificial Intelligence
Abstract
In this chapter we formulate a fuzzy-logic, attack (AT) and counter-attack (CA) model for the tennis game.
Tijana T. Ivancevic, Bojan Jovanovic, Sasa Jovanovic, Milka Djukic, Natalia Djukic, Alexandar Lukman
The Law of Mental Training
Abstract
The best preparation for the mental speed in tennis is the so–called lightning chess, or bullet chess. It is the faster version of the blitz chess game, where each side has less than 3 minutes to complete all of their moves. Often bullet chess is so fast that tactics and skill are secondary to quick moves. Under United States Chess Federation (USCF) rules, bullet games are considered blitz. Every year, an over-the-board lightning chess tournament is held in Apeldoorn in the Netherlands. The time control is 2 minutes per player per game. It is the only official championship in bullet chess. The winner can claim the title Open Dutch Champion in Lightning Chess.
Tijana T. Ivancevic, Bojan Jovanovic, Sasa Jovanovic, Milka Djukic, Natalia Djukic, Alexandar Lukman
The Quantum Intention Law
Abstract
In this section we will introduce modern concepts of quantum brain and mind, mostly following a modern trend set-up in the journal NeuroQuantology. For example, according to some of the recent papers from this journal (see [Per03]), ‘brain is classical’ (i.e., governed by classical biophysics), while ‘mind is quantum’, and human consciousness is generated by ‘neuro-quantization’, which takes place inside brain’s microtubules (see, e.g. [Pen89, Pen94]).
Tijana T. Ivancevic, Bojan Jovanovic, Sasa Jovanovic, Milka Djukic, Natalia Djukic, Alexandar Lukman
The Model for a Future Tennis Champion
Abstract
The tennis champion of the future is Roger Federer’s hypothetical younger brother, who knows and can do everything that Roger knows and can do. In addition, he is both physically and mentally stronger and faster. Because of this addition, he will generally be much more efficient in the future tennis game, which will be much faster than today’s tennis, due to improved racquet technology and players’ improved psychophysical abilities.
Tijana T. Ivancevic, Bojan Jovanovic, Sasa Jovanovic, Milka Djukic, Natalia Djukic, Alexandar Lukman
Tennis Evolution: An Intensive 12 Week Programme
Abstract
Here we present an intensive 12–week programme for quick development of the basic tennis skills.
Tijana T. Ivancevic, Bojan Jovanovic, Sasa Jovanovic, Milka Djukic, Natalia Djukic, Alexandar Lukman

Modern Background for Tennis Science

Frontmatter
Modern Tennis Physiology
Abstract
Human skeletal and face muscles, accounting for more than 40% of the body weight in man, consist of bundles of elongated, cylindric cells called muscle fibers, 50 to 200 μ in diameter and often many centimeters long. Bundles of muscle fibers, each called fasciculus, are surrounded by a connective tissue covering, the endomysium (see, e.g., [Mou80, Mar98]).
A muscle consists of a number of fasciculi encased in a thick outer layer of connective tissue, the perimysium. At both ends of a muscle the connective tissue melds into a tendon by which the muscle is attached to the face or bony skeleton. In some muscles (fusiform), the muscle fibers run the whole length of muscle between the tendons, which form at opposite ends. In most muscles (pennate), one of the tendons penetrates through the center of the muscle; muscle fibers run at an angle to the axis of the whole muscle from the central tendon to the perimysium.
Tijana T. Ivancevic, Bojan Jovanovic, Sasa Jovanovic, Milka Djukic, Natalia Djukic, Alexandar Lukman
Modern Tennis Physics: Nonlinear and Quantum Dynamics
Abstract
Nonlinear dynamics depicts an irregular and unpredictable time evolution of both simple and complex deterministic dynamical systems, characterized by nonlinear coupling of its variables. Given an initial condition, the dynamic equation determines the dynamic process, i.e., every step in the evolution. However, the initial condition, when magnified, reveals a cluster of values within a certain error bound. For a regular dynamic system, processes issuing from the cluster are bundled together, and the bundle constitutes a predictable process with an error bound similar to that of the initial condition. In a unpredictable nonlinear dynamical system, processes issuing from the cluster diverge from each other exponentially, and after a while the error becomes so large that the dynamic equation losses its predictive power (see Figure 21.1).
Tijana T. Ivancevic, Bojan Jovanovic, Sasa Jovanovic, Milka Djukic, Natalia Djukic, Alexandar Lukman
Modern Tennis Biomechanics
Abstract
Most of dynamics in contemporary human biomechanics is autonomous (see [II06a, II06b, II06c, II07e, II07a, II08c, II08b]). This approach works fine for most individual movement simulations and predictions, in which the total human energy dissipations are insignificant. However, if we analyze a 100 m-dash sprinting motion, which is in case of top athletes finished under 10 s, we can recognize a significant slow-down after about 70m in all athletes - despite of their strong intention to finish and win the race, which is an obvious sign of the total energy dissipation. This can be seen, for example, in a current record-braking speed-distance curve of Usain Bolt, the world-record holder with 9.69 s, or in a former record-braking speed-distance curve of Carl Lewis, the former worldrecord holder (and 9 time Olympic gold medalist) with 9.86 s (see Figure 22.1). In other words, the total mechanical energy of a sprinter cannot be conserved even for 10 s. So, if we want to develop a realistic model of intensive human motion that is longer than 7-8 s, we necessarily need to use the more advanced formalism of time-dependent mechanics.
Tijana T. Ivancevic, Bojan Jovanovic, Sasa Jovanovic, Milka Djukic, Natalia Djukic, Alexandar Lukman
Modern Tennis Psychology: Nonlinear and Quantum
Abstract
Today it is well known that disembodied cognition is a myth, albeit one that has had profound influence in Western science since Rene Descartes and others gave it credence during the Scientific Revolution. In fact, the mind-body separation had much more to do with explanation of method than with explanation of the mind and cognition, yet it is with respect to the latter that its impact is most widely felt. We find it to be an unsustainable assumption in the realm of crowd behavior.Mental intention is (almost immediately) followed by a physical action, that is, a human or animal movement [Sch07]. In animals, this physical action would be jumping, running, flying, swimming, biting or grabbing. In humans, it can be talking, walking, driving, or kicking, etc. Mathematical description of human/animal movement in terms of the corresponding neuro-musculo-skeletal equations of motion, for the purpose of prediction and control, is formulated within the realm of biodynamics (see [II06a, II06b, II06c]).
In this section we will focus on intelligence and problem solving.
Tijana T. Ivancevic, Bojan Jovanovic, Sasa Jovanovic, Milka Djukic, Natalia Djukic, Alexandar Lukman
Backmatter
Metadata
Title
Paradigm Shift for Future Tennis
Authors
Tijana T. Ivancevic
Bojan Jovanovic
Sasa Jovanovic
Milka Djukic
Natalia Djukic
Alexandar Lukman
Copyright Year
2011
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Electronic ISBN
978-3-642-17095-9
Print ISBN
978-3-642-17094-2
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-17095-9

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