PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the discrepancies between higher and lower ranked prepubertal (maturity offset =-2.6 ± 0.4 years) tennis players regarding their biological maturity status, morphology, and motor fitness. METHODS: Thirty-six male players, 10.3-11.2 years of age (10.8 ± 0.3 years), were divided into two groups on the basis of their national ranking. They were tested on stature, sitting height, body mass, skinfolds (triceps and medial calf), maximal isometric grip strength, and hexagon agility test. Age at peak height velocity, body mass index (BMI), and body fat percentages (BF%) were calculated accordingly. Their weekly training (tennis and fitness) volume, age to start playing tournaments and the number of tournaments played until the onset of the study was recorded. RESULTS: Independent sample t test results showed no significant differences between groups in chronological and biological ages. Similar results were also observed on stature, sitting height, body mass, BMI, BF%, and weekly tennis training volume. On the other hand, upper ranked players performed significantly superior scores on agility and grip strength measures and have greater amounts of weekly fitness training then their lower ranked counterparts. Moreover, they start playing tournaments at earlier ages and have attended more tournaments. CONCLUSION: Results of the study highlighted potential positive influences of sports-specific experience duration and volume of weekly fitness training on the ranking and various functional capacities in prepubertal male tennis players born in the same calendar year
