Though the sport was created hundreds of years ago, it’s never been more popular than it is today to pick up a racket and head down to the tennis courts. With tennis participation up throughout the country, more Americans are turning to this sport as a way to get more physical activity while enjoying the fresh air and a good dose of healthy competition.
The Rise of Tennis Popularity in the United States
In the span of three years, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) reported that tennis participation in the country grew by 33% between the beginning of 2020 and the end of 2022. This is a meaningful increase for any sport, nevertheless, one that has already been around for centuries like tennis.
Currently, the USTA estimates that over 23.6 million people in the country are tennis players, representing around 7.7% of the population. On top of that, tennis viewership is also on the rise, with last year’s U.S. Open hitting daily attendance records, according to Sports Business Journal.
While the pandemic certainly played a factor in the initial increase in 2020, the steady rise in participation for three consecutive years reveals that more Americans are being introduced to or returning to tennis at a sustained rate. At the same time, rising tennis stars like Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka are helping to generate more interest in tennis from people off the court.
Plus, we’d be remiss if we didn’t discuss the impact that pickleball has had on tennis participation over the past few years.
The Pickleball Effect
If you thought the recent growth in tennis was impressive, the figures for pickleball growth over the same period are even more astounding. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association pickleball participation grew by 158.6% over those three years.
The recent growth in pickleball is partly due to the fact that it’s a relatively easy sport to get the hang of and appealing to players of all ages. This makes it a great activity that the whole family can enjoy, from young children to older grandparents.
Something worth noting is that the rapid rise in popularity of pickleball has not detracted players’ interest from similar sports like tennis. As we discussed above, tennis participation has been up significantly in recent years, proving that the ongoing pickleball movement has created a positive momentum for racket sports as a whole.
Sagecliffe Resort: The Ultimate Pickleball & Tennis Destination
If you’re an avid tennis or pickleball player who is visiting Washington state this year, consider staying at Sagecliffe Resort & Spa. This is one of the Northwest’s finest accommodations, from luxurious rooms to breathtaking landscapes, a spa, and brand-new pickleball and tennis courts.
Even if you don’t have existing travel plans to visit Washington, consider booking a special trip to Sagecliffe to take part in our upcoming ‘Stay & Learn’ Clinic on Saturday, May 4th. This is an exclusive event for resort guests and is included with your stay. The beginner-friendly clinic gives you the opportunity to learn and enjoy the fast-growing sport of pickleball in front of a gorgeous backdrop of the Columbia River Gorge.
Click here to reserve your room before clinic availability closes.
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Written by Bailey Schramm in partnership with online faxing service for working travellers, Faxage.com