# Notational Analysis of Men's Singles Pickleball: Game Patterns and Competitive Strategies
## 4 Discussion
According to the data obtained from the study, the receiving player won slightly more than half of the points played (54%). This finding contrasts markedly with padel and, especially, with tennis, where the serve tends to clearly favor the server. Previous studies have shown that, in padel, the probability of winning a point on serve is approximately 60% [17; 45], while in tennis, it ranges between 65% and 70%, depending on the surface [18; 46]. The rule in pickleball that requires the ball to bounce before being returned on the first shot by the server after the serve could explain this difference. Therefore, coaches have a significant opportunity to improve performance by focusing on optimizing the serve and the first return following the serve, to increase the chances of winning the point. Regarding point endings, it was observed that nearly 60% of the points ended with an unforced error, predominantly committed by the server. These values are more similar to those in tennis [18; 47] than in padel, where recent research indicates that approximately 40% of points are decided by unforced errors [17]. Although in tennis the data are also close to the findings of this study, in that sport, unforced errors are more common from the receiving player. Regarding the stroke used to finish points in this study, it was observed that forehands and backhands predominated, along with a significant number of volleys, both forehand and backhand. These characteristics show clear similarities to padel, where, in addition to these shots, finishes with smashes are also common [48]. However, in pickleball, the smash was less frequent. In contrast, tennis presents a different profile, with a lower proportion of volleys as final shots, since points in this sport are typically resolved with shots from the baseline. Thus, while pickleball and padel share a more dynamic and offensive approach to point endings, tennis is characterized by baseline play, with a predominance of forehand and backhand strokes. The data reveal that in men's singles pickleball, simply mastering groundstrokes from the back of the court is not enough to win matches, nor is being skilled only at volleying near the net. Both areas of play are essential, and success requires a well-rounded game that integrates proficiency from both positions. The sequential analysis of the study has revealed patterns of play and point-winning chances that a descriptive analysis could have overlooked or misinterpreted. This type of analysis, recently implemented in other racquet sports [13; 17], has proven useful. For example, although the receiver generally wins more points overall, this trend does not hold in short rallies, where the server wins a greater proportion of points. This indicates that the serve can be a decisive factor in point development, especially when resolved in the first few shots. Although it may seem that the receiver has the initiative in the point, similar to the dynamic in volleyball, this theory is not entirely accurate, since if the server manages to shorten the rally, the possibility of success tilts in their favor. As expected, certain zones of the court are more favorable for winning points, but the study reveals that it is crucial to combine this information with the type of rally to obtain precise performance data. This integrated approach allows coaches to optimize match tactics, adapting the game not only based on the striking zone but also according to the dynamics of the rallies.