Complementing a paper on factors influencing tennis flow, this paper examines tennis flow states for correspondence with flow descriptions from Csikszentmihalyi (2,3) and reversal theory.(4,5) In a study supported by Tennis Australia, thirty-one Australian professional female tennis players related their experiences of a time that stood out from average, one involving total absorption and which was rewarding in and of itself. Qualitative content analyses of participants` narratives of flow states revealed a correspondence of narratives with Csikszentmihalyi`s and reversal theory`s descriptions. In light of the study`s findings, a model of flow is proposed which integrates key psychological parameters underpinning Csikszentmihalyi`s and reversal theory`s approaches to flow. Practical implications of the study`s findings for players and coaches are highlighted.
© Copyright 2007 Medicine and Science in Tennis. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.