Measuring excitement in sport

[摘要] Various aspects of excitement in sport are identified, and one aspect is defined and studied in detail. This aspect is the excitement that can be attributed to the current score in the match. The definition of excitement is applicable to a wide range of sports scoring systems. Several examples are given, and a major focus is on a set of tennis. A methodology for determining the average value and variance of the total excitement in a match such as a set of tennis is outlined. The actual total excitement in a set of tennis could be included in the standard statistics routinely produced at the completion of a set. This could be a useful addition to these summary statistics. Sets within matches and across matches could be compared for their excitement levels. Thus, the most exciting set in a tournament or even the most exciting set for the year could be determined. Matches where the point-by-point data is historically available can even be assessed for their excitement. Examples are given where this methodology can be applied to the situation in which the outcome at a stage in the match can also be a draw, rather than just a win or a loss as in a point, game or set of tennis. These examples include an application tomatch-play golf.

[关键词] Importance and excitement of a point in sport;tennis;racquet sports;Borg/McEnroe Wimbledon 1980 final;golf