以勝負網絡分析重新評估女子網球選手之歷史地位

Abstract

本研究目的是提出勝負網絡分析（win-or-lose network analysis）方法中的程度中心性（degree centrality）及聲望值（prestige score）評估女子職業網球協會（Women’s Tennis Association, WTA）女子職業網球選手排名，並與傳統利用大滿貫賽冠軍次數或勝率的排名結果進行比較。研究中以1968年到2011年女子職業網球的大滿貫賽對戰紀錄為分析資料。研究結果顯示：聲望值與勝率或大滿貫賽冠軍數的排名結果都具有統計上的一致性；相反地，本研究所提出之程度中心性與傳統兩種排名方法都未達統計顯著。本研究結論證實程度中心性可以對於史上最傑出WTA 選手的歷史定位及網球運動競賽提供截然不同的創新評估法及詮釋。This study aimed to propose a new ranking method for Women's Tennis Association (WTA) players of all time record by using degree centrality (DC) and prestige score criterions of network analyses. The advantages of network analyses over traditional counts of winning the Grand Slam champions and winning percentages were also demonstrated. All the Grand Slam matches among the elite WTA players from 1968 to 2011 were considered for the quantitative analyses. Results indicate that the ranking of prestige scores was non-significantly different from the two traditional methods. Notably, the ranking of degree centralities showed a novel perspective from the other methods. This study concludes that the new ranking by DC method can provide an alternative interpretation of the greatest-of-all-time WTA player, as well as significance to the tennis sports.