Structural closure and performance in networks of competition: ATP professional tennis, 1997--2006

This study shows the effect of triads in networks of competition on performance of ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) tennis players. To harness the dynamic aspect of the structural process, I introduce a new measure of triadic closure, which takes into account the timing and sequencing of social ties. Two analyses using the dynamic triadic closure measure demonstrate that a tennis player with more triadic closure is more likely to be successful in future tournaments, and even in a single match. I explain the empirical findings on the bases of role theories.;At the tournament level, a player's degree of triadic closure in the networks of matches has a positive effect on his performance in a future tournament. Based on the theory of role competition, I assert that triads of contenders motivate the focal actor to act more assiduously. Competition in triads is more visible than dyadic competition. Regardless of a win or loss, the experience under the triads itself motivates a player to work harder and pursue better practice for future performance.;At the match level, I examine the relationship between triadic closure and multiple metrics of social hierarchy. The results show that the player with more triadic closure than his opponent is more likely to win the match. However, the effect of triadic closure is discounted when other status metrics are higher.;Based on theories of sociological theories of status and role, I assert that the structural influence of triadic closure on a focal actor is escalated when status hierarchies are ambiguous.;The significant effect of triadic closure offers evidence that, even in the exceedingly atomized state of individual sports, social-structural forces prevail. Furthermore, the triadic closure is measured with the players' match history, which is under no one's control. It nicely serves the structuralistic ideal that social structure is independent of purposive action. By upholding the structuralistic ideal, I assert that we can address two theoretical problems in economic sociology and social capital theory using network analysis: action-structure endogeneity and the paradox of ongoing embeddedness. As an alternative, I propose a dynamic model of a non-endogenous and temporally unique structure.