Tennis popularity continued to surge in 2022, as participation in the racquet sport increased for the third consecutive year in the United States. USTA announced that the number of tennis players grew by one million in 2022, totaling to 23.6 million individuals in the game. It is an increase of 5.9 million, or 33%, since the start of 2020.
“The increase in tennis participation for the third year in a row is not only important for the health of our sport, but also for the health and well-being of those who have made the game a part of their lives,” said Brian Hainline, Chairman of the Board and President, USTA. “Tennis has a multitude of benefits, ranging from the mental to the physical, and we are excited to help lead the continued growth of a sport that helps players of all ages and ability levels stay active and healthy.”
The increase in the number of people playing tennis is accompanied by a variety of key efforts and initiatives focused on increasing access to the game and making the overall tennis experience better.
The USTA helped build or refurbish courts at public parks and tennis facilities in the United States. Moreover, tennis was offered in more than 20,000 schools across the country, as part of their overall physical education programs. The USTA has donated equipment to 8,300-plus schools, including donations to nearly 1,600 schools in 2022, giving 5.9 million children access to the sport.
According to multiple sources and studies, tennis has been shown to have a significant positive impact on the health of participants. Tennis players on average lived an additional 9.7 years than sedentary individuals. The 9.7 additional years for tennis players ranked highest among all sports included within the study, beating out soccer by 5 years (4.7), cycling by 6 years (3.7), swimming by 6.3 years (3.4) and jogging by 6.5 years (3.2). In addition, participation in racquet sports, including tennis, reduces risk of all-cause mortality by 47 percent and cardiovascular-related death by 56 percent.
