Visual Analysis of Tennis Research in China Over the Past Two Decades Using CiteSpace

Abstract

Objective: To chart the overall landscape, core themes and evolutionary trajectory of tennis-related research in China over the past two decades, thereby furnishing a reference and source of inspiration for future scholarly inquiry.Methods: Using CiteSpace for scientometric visualization, we harvested tennis-themed articles included in CNKI from 2005 to 2025 and constructed knowledge maps that depict annual output trends, prolific authors, leading institutions and high-frequency keywords.Results: The annual publication volume exhibits a general decline and can be divided into four phases: 2005–2010 foundational accumulation, 2011–2014 performance-driven surge, 2015–2019 structural readjustment, and 2020–2025 low-level transformation. Guo Liya ranks first in individual output, while Beijing Sport University contributes the most at the institutional level.Conclusion: Despite the downward trend in quantity, tennis studies maintain high academic vitality. A systematic delineation of their developmental features and focal topics can supply data support and conceptual guidance for forthcoming project design, policy formulation and program reform.