A statistical investigation of squash and tennis

Abstract

This case study gives a probability model for the game of international squash which is used to determine the probability that a particular player will win a game, the expected duration of a game and the expected number of handouts. The distribution of final point scores is also calculated and a method is used to determine the order of importance of rallies. Statistical methods are used to analyse whether squash and tennis players have the capacity to be able to "try harder" in certain circumstances. The results of these analyses are used to revise the values for the probability that a particular player will win a game given different state probabilities and are also used to "explain", in mathematical and statistical terms, the phenomenal achievements of Heather McKay and Geoff Hunt. Show more