Ideal height for a tennis player?

Question

what is the ideal height, right now im 15 and around 165cm can i still play well compared to tall players. Is this height a disadvantage or an advantage??

Answer 1

Well, I had to do some math to figure out how tall 165 cm was, but my answer to your question is just over 6 feet tall (183-187 cm).  This is based on the heights of the 2 best players in history (arguably): Pete Sampras and Roger Federer; both were 6'-1".  That said, you don't have be tall to play well.  Every player will have certain physical strengths and weaknesses.  Your height might be a weakness in terms of reach and serving angle, but usually shorter players are quicker in changing directions, which means better court coverage.  The key is to minimize weaknesses and maximize your strengths.

Answer 2

James, Height can be an advantage for serves but is a real hindrance for low volleys. Lack of height can be an advantage for speed and quickness and low volleys but a real hindrance for handling lobs and for serves. The Rochus brothers - Olivier & Christophe are the shortest Pro's as a brother team and they had pretty successful carreers or at least Olivier did at 1.67 metres or 5' 5 1/2 " the 3 years younger of the two. He played singles with a  173-180 career win record won 2 titles and was ranked as high as 24th and would make it to 4th rounds in the Grand Slams at best versus Christophe's typical 1st or sometimes 2nd round exits. In doubles he was 73-82 with 2 titles and ranked 29th. He never won with his brother but one of the two was with countryman Xavier Malise who is 1.85 m or 6'1". Looking at fellow Belgium female player Justine Henin who is also lacking in height but not in heart, she is world #1 in singles with a record of 492-106, 41 career singles titles and has won all Grand Slams 2 more than once except for Wimbledon where she was only a Finalist. She is the same height 1.67 m or 5' 5 1/2" and also has 2 doubles titles and her highest doubles ranking was 23rd. She also has an Olympic Gold in singles.

As for tall players - Ivo Karlovic is the tallest for men at 208 cm or 6'10". His singles career record is 113-105 with 3 titles and a high ranking of 18. He usually goes as far as 3rd round in Grand Slams with a 4th round exit at Wimbledon which is suited for hard hitters and a 2nd round at the French on slow red clay. No surprises there. In doubles he has a 48-49 and 1 title with a high of 44. So not as impressive as Rochus but fairly similar.  On the women's side Pam Shriver was one of the tallest ladies and has an impressive record in singles of 625-270 with 12 titles and a high of 3rd usually making semi's at the GS's and in doubles 622-122 with 52 and ranked #1 due in part to partnering Martina Navratilova. One Olympic Gold in doubles , Pan American Games Gold in both singles and mixed.

Now for the Best of the Average, the GOAT or Greatest of All Time - Roger Federer at 1.85 m or 6'1". His singles record of 571-139 with 54 titles including 12 GS's and 4 years at #1 speaks for itself. In doubles with a 105-70 record 7 titles and a high ranking of 24 is decent.

Now looking at you - at 165 cm and 15 years old you still have 3 more years in which you may grow and develop and might even reach Rogers height. I have seen it happen during a young man's 16th year so don't worry as long as you keep playing and improving you will do fine or better than fine. Oh I noticed that you are of Hispanic origin like Rafa. He is also 6'1" or 1.85 like Roger so if he can grow that tall...you may also and #2 in the World is not such a bad spot is it?

Vamos James Aguilera!

Answer 3

Yeah, there's really no advantage to being shorter.  The biggest disadvantage that tall people have is balance and getting to low balls.

But you tell me:  How well do you do against taller opponents?  I've beaten plenty of people who were taller than me.  If they seem to give you problems, it's probably a mental thing.  Just ignore their height, or learn to use it against them.

And the ideal height is whatever height you reach.  You can't really change that.  So ignore this whole height thing, and get out and play some tennis.

Answer 4

height is always an advantage but if you look at the greatest players of all time, it is not the deciding factor. great tennis players can come in different forms.

Answer 5

It doesn't matter how tall you are. I saw this one little girl and she was pretty short and she wailed the ball over the net like a pro. But, i'm 5'8 and heighth does matter if you are up at the net.

Answer 6

It doesn't matter how talal you are. But, on the serves, if you're tall, all you have to do is aim and fire. Boom. ACE!

Answer 7

If we say it's a wrong height, are you going to change your height, or quit tennis?

I'm 155 cm, and the disadvantages are obvious: it's very easy to lob me, I am at disadvantage when I serve, because I serve from a much lower point than most people, I have shorter arms and I can't reach that far, etc etc. So I have to compensate for it: move faster, use good stroke\serve technique, use different game strategy than tall people do. Actually, I think being short forces me to be a better player. I can't afford using poor techniques, I have to learn to do it right, and this is a huge advantage in the long run.

Answer 8

both tall and short players have both advantages and disadvantages on court... ideal height? maybe 6 feet and above!

Answer 9

Height is certainly an advantage when it comes to serving but smaller players are often much quicker around the court. Although the main game is won mentally by focus and concentration. Also smaller players have a lower centre of gravity which is an advantage.