Erne and ATP Defense

It wasn’t long ago that an Erne or an ATP on the PPA tour was usually a winner. Now, those shots are often returned comfortably, with rallies continuing. Just how good are the PPA pros at defending Ernes and ATPs and keeping the ball in play? Let’s look at the stats from all the championship doubles matches in the first part of this season.

Erne defense rate:  What we don’t have is when a player went for an Erne and missed, such as, stepping on the line or hitting it long. Here’s what we do have: stats from the first 13 PPA tournaments of 2024: 

Men’s Doubles Finals:

63 Ernes were hit into the opponent’s court.

36 were either “clean winners” or not returned successfully. (58%)

27 were defended successfully, continuing the rally. (42%)

Women’s Doubles Finals:

29 Ernes were hit into the opponent’s court.

9 were either “clean winners” or not returned successfully. (31%)

20 were defended successfully, continuing the rally. (69%)

Mixed Doubles Finals:

77 Ernes were hit into the opponent’s court.

53 were either “clean winners” or not returned successfully. (68%)

24 were defended successfully, continuing the rally. (32%)

Cumulative Doubles Finals:

169 Ernes were hit into the opponent’s court.

98 were either “clean winners” or not returned successfully. (58%)

71 were defended successfully, continuing the rally. (42%)

ATP defense rate:  What we don’t have is when a player went for an ATP and missed, such as, hitting it into the net or wide. Here’s what we do have: stats from the first 13 PPA tournaments of 2024: 

Men’s Doubles Finals:

38 ATPs were hit into the opponent’s court.

16 were either “clean winners” or not returned successfully. (42%)

22 were defended successfully, continuing the rally. (58%)

Women’s Doubles Finals:

12 ATPs were hit into the opponent’s court.

4 were either “clean winners” or not returned successfully. (33%)

8 were defended successfully, continuing the rally. (67%)

Mixed Doubles Finals:

42 ATPs were hit into the opponent’s court.

20 were either “clean winners” or not returned successfully. (48%)

22 were defended successfully, continuing the rally. (52%)

Cumulative Doubles Finals:

92 ATPs were hit into the opponent’s court.

44 were either “clean winners” or not returned successfully. (48%)

48 were defended successfully, continuing the rally. (52%)

Overall, when an Erne or an ATP is put in play, 45 percent are defended successfully, continuing the rally. We wouldn’t be surprised if that number surpasses 50 percent in the near future.