Why do old Tennis players still dominate the Sport?

The percentage of players in the top 100 men who are over the age of 30 in 1990 from 6% to 40% in 2017.

It’s clear that the rackets of the 90s are not the same as today, nor from the model or the technology.

but it could not be the only reason, as players are doing a different kind of practice,
and choosing the schedule carefully to play as long as possible.

in this year Australian Open, 8 players age was above the 35 including:

• Ivo Karlovic — 40
• Roger Federer — 38
• Feliciano Lopez — 38
• Phillip Kohlschreiber — 36
• Yen-Hsun Lu — 36
• Fernando Verdasco — 36
• Andreas Seppi — 35
• Gilles Simon — 35

In the graph, it’s clear that in the top 10 and especially after 2010 the proportion of players over the 27 increased.

the same as the top 100 and that shows only how players improved even if they are getting older.

but for the top 1000, it did not know that big change but still low.

Reasons:

to be playing a perfect Tennis after the 30 is an achievement itself, but there are many reasons for that to possibly happen.

– The improvement of the practice and quality of new equipment had been a big impact on player fitness.

play great matches after the age of 30 where the body gets tired quickly and takes a longer time to recover.

– The prize money also could be the main factor at least for some players, but a motivating for other players,
as the prize money

had an incredible improvement because of the sponsorship and more income sources, especially in Grand Slam tournament

It’s 2020, and still the eyes of Roger Federer who will turn 39 in next summer, He is out for injury until Grass season,

but He’s still performing amazingly and fighting with the next generation and his big rivals as well.

Moreover, Tennis is expecting new technologies as well, for courts, for rackets, and more.

therefore, that could be only a factor for players to help them play even longer and have a better career in Tennis.