Introduction: Sport has its magic moments of perfection when athletes report they were in flow. Developed by Csikszentmihalyi (1975), the concept of flow describes those feelings when one enjoys performing `in the moment` and to the best of one`s abilities. Two theoretical approaches, Csikszentmihalyi (1975) flow construct and reversal theory (Apter, 1982), provide systematic frameworks for studying flow in sport with the former adopted almost exclusively in flow sport studies to date (e.g., Jackson, 1996). One exception is Young`s (2007) study of flow experiences of Australian professional tennis players which adopted dual theoretical frameworks to evaluate the usefulness and relevance of both approaches. In a study endorsed by Tennis Australia (the governing body of tennis in Australia), Young found a high degree of correspondence between players` narratives of exceptional performances with descriptions of optimal paratelic and telic flow experiences posited by reversal theory. This paper reports on additional findings of this study as they relate to reversal theory predictions and highlights implications for coaches and sport psychologists. Methods Thirty-one Australian professional tennis players responded to a questionnaire that asked them to: (a) recall and describe an experience in tennis, either in competition or training, that stood out in some way, an experience in which they were totally absorbed and which was rewarding in and of itself; (b) indicate the frequency of such experiences in training and competition; (c) nominate factors that they thought facilitated, interrupted and prevented the experience they had described; and, (d) complete the Paratelic Dominance Scale. Data was both quantitatively and qualitatively analysed, with the former including the conduct of two Fisher exact tests and the latter including a series of inductive content analyses conducted on players` nominated influencing factors. Results Professional female tennis players were found to be predominantly telic-dominant (i.e., serious minded, goal orientated and arousal-avoidant versus paratelic-dominant being playful, spontaneous and arousal seeking). No significant associations were found between players` dominance and (a) type of flow experienced (i.e., telic flow being relaxing and calm versus paratelic flow being exciting and exhilarating) and (b) frequency of flow in either training or competition. An array of personal and situational factors influencing telic and paratelic flow for both telic-and paratelic-dominant players were identified. Discussion While a professional female tennis player`s dominance may not be a predictor of flow type and frequency of flow, the study`s findings suggests dominance is a relevant personality variable in the identification of specific factors affecting telic and paratelic flow. Consistent with theoretical notions, this study found evidence that players can influence whether flow is experienced as a telic or paratelic state. In terms of practical implications, the application of a reversal theory framework directs a coach`s and/or sport psychologist`s attention to a player`s awareness, and interpretation, of personal and situational factors when working with professional female players to achieve sporting excellence and enjoyment in competing. The insight gained from this study of the importance of a player`s unique subjective experience (e.g., affect, cognition and meaning) suggest future flow researchers might investigate players at different skill levels, male tennis players and other athletes adopting a reversal theory framework.
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