Multidimensional Predictors of Ranking-Based Competitive Success in National-Level Junior Tennis Players: Evidence for the Dominant Role of Physical Performance

The aim of this study was to examine the relative contribution of physical performance, executive functions, and competitive anxiety to competitive success in junior tennis players. A total of 39 national-level junior athletes (20 males, 19 females) participated in the study. Physical performance was assessed using a standardized test battery including a 20 m sprint, standing long jump, agility test, and shuttle run. Executive functions were measured using the Adult Executive Functioning Inventory (ADEXI), while competitive anxiety was assessed with the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2). Competitive success was operationalized using ranking points. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted using log-transformed ranking points as the dependent variable. Age and sex explained 71.3% of the variance in LogRanking (R2 = 0.713, p < 0.001). The addition of physical performance variables provided a modest, non-significant increase in explained variance (ΔR2 = 0.068, p = 0.064). Executive functions (ΔR2 = 0.006, p = 0.645) and competitive anxiety (ΔR2 = 0.008, p = 0.801) did not provide additional explanatory power. In the final model, age and standing long jump were significant predictors of LogRanking. These findings suggest that ranking-based competitive success in junior tennis is strongly influenced by age-related and competition-exposure factors. Physical performance showed a limited additional contribution, while executive functions and competitive anxiety did not explain further variance in this sample.