The Match Charting Project uses manually recorded points to describe serving, returning and rally tendencies. Tennis Abstract’s index identifies date, event, round and both players, with a separate player-based index. Select the match and opponent before choosing the tactical question.
Jeff Sackmann’s September 23, 2015 quick-start guide lists serve direction, shot type, point-ending outcome and error direction as core fields. Serves distinguish wide, body and T; strokes include forehands, backhands and slices. Winners, forced errors and unforced errors mark the end of the sequence.
Serve codes use 4 for wide, 5 for body and 6 for T. Additional rally directions use 1 towards a right-hander’s forehand, 2 through the middle and 3 towards the backhand. Read the position in the sequence and stroke type alongside the code, with handedness established first.
Return depth uses 7 for a shallow ball in the service boxes, 8 for the next zone behind the service line and 9 for the deepest quarter nearest the baseline. Where available, that field connects return depth to the following shot.
Shot direction and return depth are optional fields in the start guide, so check that each selected match records them. Use the number of strokes with that field filled as the denominator for its percentage. Keep total points, return attempts and returns with depth data separately labelled.
Our analysis suggestion selects one question from matches on the same surface. For return direction after wide serves, collect the relevant serve-return sequences and record opponent handedness and match date. Establish comparable coverage before combining seasons or opponents.
The guide recommends learning core fields before adding direction, depth and court position. In a personal viewing record, note missed points and fields completed so you know what to revisit. That makes the scope of the observation part of the tactical analysis.
