Over 30 Million Tennis Players

For the first time in over 20 years, tennis participation exceeded 30 million players. (USTA/ITA Survey). "With 30.1 million people hitting the courts, tennis participation grew 12 percent over 2008 and 25 percent since 2003." (RSI, January, 2010) Nearly 15 percent of those who identified themselves as tennis players, also consider themselves "regular players."

The reasons for this increase are probably quite varied, but one theory is: in a recession, tennis provides excellent physical activity in a competitive situation with a small financial investment. To participate, all one needs is a $3 can of balls, a tennis racquet which lasts for years and years, an opponent, a public (free) tennis court, and one can play every day the weather permits. Compared to golf, it's "no-brainer." By comparison, golf, even on a public course, is quite expensive-- not to mention the cost of equipment. In addition, a golfer must invest much more time, and in return receives much less in terms of physical exercise.