Tie-Break Tennis Matches: A Case Study for First Year Level Statistics Teaching

Abstract

We explore the effects of different tie-break scoring systems in tennis and how this can be used as a teaching case study to demonstrate the use of basic statistical concepts to contrast and compare features of different models or data sets. In particular, the effects of different tie-break scoring systems are compared in terms of how they impact on match length, as well as the chances of the “underdog” winning. This case study also provides an ideal opportunity to showcase some useful spreadsheet features such as array formulae and data tables.