Thesis (PhD (Sport Sc) (Sport Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to explore the knowledge of tennis tactics of a group of South African tennis coaches. A secondary purpose was to gather their perceptions about where they believe they learned about tactics. A mixed methodology approach was used. The first was a quantitative knowledge test administered to 37 coaches. The second was a qualitative semi-structured interview with five coaches. The results of the study showed that there was a significant difference in the choices of tactical options in 43 game scenarios between the less experienced and the more experienced coaches. No differences were found between coaches who were coaching at the top level compared to the lower levels. No differences were found between coaches who had been top tennis players and those who had not. The majority of the coaches in this study reported that they had learned tactics through trial and error. Problems facing the development of top level tennis coaches in South Africa are discussed in relation to their knowledge of tactics and the priorities for the development of mass participation supported by national sport policy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie was om ʼn groep Suid-Afrikaanse tennisafrigters se kennis van tennistaktiek te ondersoek. ʼn Sekondêre doel was om uit te vind waar die afrigters glo hulle sodanige kennis opgedoen het. Die navorsingsbenadering het uit gemengde metodologieë bestaan. Die eerste was ʼn kwantitatiewe kennistoets wat onder 37 afrigters afgeneem is. Die tweede was ʼn kwalitatiewe semigestruktureerde onderhoud met vyf afrigters. Die resultate van die studie dui daarop dat die minder ervare en meer ervare afrigters geen beduidende verskil getoon het in hul taktiese keuses in 43 wedstrydscenario’s nie. Geen verskil is opgemerk tussen afrigters op die topvlak en dié op laer vlakke nie. Boonop was daar geen verskil tussen afrigters wat eens topspelers was en diegene wat nié was nie. Volgens die meeste van die afrigters in die studie het hulle hul kennis van tennistaktiek deur die metode van leer en probeer opgedoen. Die studie bespreek die uitdagings in die ontwikkeling van topvlaktennisafrigters in Suid-Afrika wat betref hul kennis van taktiek en die prioriteite vir die bevordering van massadeelname ingevolge nasionale sportbeleid.