Tennis Technologies: De-Skilling and Re-Skilling Players and the Implications for the Game

Among different kinds of performance-altering technologies in elite sport it is important to include those that dehumanize performance, improve safety and reduce harm, increase spectatorship and increase participation. This essay explores whether tennis racket technology de-skills and/or re-skills elite male tennis players and the implications of such technology for the game. I reflect critically on the empirical work of scientists and technologists that relates to performance-altering technologies and service dominance in elite male tennis. In particular, I also intend to explore the extent of effect the proposal to abolish the second service will have on the game. I conclude that allowing ‘one serve only’ would change the fundamental character of the game. Maintaining the status quo of two serves (potentially) per point retains the strategic and cognitive complexity of the game. It is imperative that technological and technical innovations do not compromise the nature of the good game.

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