Season of birth distribution of elite tennis players

Abstract

This research investigated birth months of top ranked junior and senior tennis players over a two year period. A significantly skewed month of birth distribution was found in both junior and senior players of both genders. The birth month distribution was more pronounced in senior female players than junior female players suggesting that the relative age effects were largely psychological for females. By contrast, the birth month distribution was less pronounced in senior male players than junior male players suggesting that the relative age effects were of a more physical nature for male players.