Background/Purpose: The development of a goal theory model of student motivation in college athletes has gained momentum over the past decade. Goal theory seeks to understand the relationships between achievement behaviors and learning motivation. Correlates of achievement behaviors include goal orientations, affect, and self-efficacy. This study examined the relationship between an athlete's goal orientation and the self-handicapping of sport among elite college athletes in tennis. Methods: A hundred and thirty-two elite college athletes in tennis from divisions A and B voluntarily participated in this study. The Task and Ego Orientation in Tennis Questionnaire and Self-Handicapping in Tennis Questionnaire were completed by elite college athletes in tennis.
Analysis/Results: A 2 X 4 MANOVA was conducted to assess Divisions as well as goal orientation groups on measures of Self-Handicapping in tennis. The results indicated a significant two different Divisions effect, wilks's lamaba = .97, F (4.327) 2.29, p< .05, four different high-low task and ego orientation groups orientation groups, wilks's lamaba = .82, F (12.865) 5.66, p < .05, and two different Divisions by four different goal orientation groups, wilks's lamaba = .90, F (12.856) 3.02, p< .001.
Conclusions: It is obvious points that the factors of motivation, ability, and effort are major needs for success in sports. The results suggested those important factors which are targeted for elite college athletes in tennis, because it will drive them to achieving of success during a tennis competition.