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Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to determine the level of mental toughness (MT) of South African competitive tennis players as a function of ethnicity, sex, age, length of tennis participation, and competitive standard. Competitive tennis players, 191 males and 174 females, completed the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated statistically significant differences in MT based on age as well as length of tennis participation, but not as a function of the players’ ethnicity, sex, and competitive standard. Older age groups and athletes participating for longer periods of time tended to report higher levels of total MT, constancy, and control compared to the younger and less experienced age groups. Age and length of participation group differences between the older age (30–48 years and 49 years and older) and longer period of participation (16–25 years, 26–35 years, and 36 or more years) categories were not found for total MT, constancy, and control. The implications for the nature and development of MT in competitive tennis are discussed, with the need to consider personal and sport involvement characteristics, among other factors, when designing MT interventions that are appropriate for individual tennis players.