Strategic measure of competitiveness for ranked data

This study offers a method of evaluating the stability of ranks of a data vector over time. In particular, we study improvement of a process observed over time where the data is ranked. The degree of competition at a major tennis championship (Wimbledon) as well as how trends in the level of competition have changed over time is studied. A metric for shifts in competitiveness and a new statistical methodology is proposed. The findings suggest that competitiveness at Wimbledon has been extremely high. The study offers implications for the sport of tennis as well as an approach to measuring competitive dynamics that can be applied to other contexts. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.