CHAPTER TWO • DEMOGRAPHICS & TRENDS NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT INDOOR RECREATION SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
NATIONAL TRENDS IN TENNIS OVERVIEW
The United States Tennis Association (USTA), the governing body for the sport of tennis, announced in 2022 that tennis participation increased for the third consecutive year in the U.S. Tennis participation grew by one million players last year with more than 23.6 million people playing the sport. This number, when added to the previous two years, represents an increase of 5.9 million, or 33%, since the start of 2020. This information was compiled by the Tennis Industry Association. The growth and health of the sport was not limited to just participation, as a variety of key efforts and initiatives were focused on increasing access to the game and making the overall tennis experience better for all players. Included in the highlights: HEALTH AND WELL-BEING According to multiple sources and studies, tennis has been shown to have a significant positive impact on the health of participants: ɀ Tennis players on average live an additional 9.7 years more than sedentary individuals. ɀ 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). FACILITIES AND PUBLIC PARKS The USTA continued its work in supporting the infrastructure of tennis in the U.S. through various facilities grants and support work. In 2022, the USTA worked with more than one hundred facilities across the country to provide technical assistance to build or refurbish courts at public parks and tennis facilities. More than $750,000 was awarded to more than forty-five total projects, with $285,000 going to new construction projects. These efforts represent more than 585 courts completed and an impact of more than $50 million in tennis infrastructure. The USTA also issued the first ever Tennis and Pickleball Statement of Guidance, developed with park professionals and court contractors, detailing ways that public parks could most efficiently, economically, and effectively incorporate the growth of both tennis and pickleball within their communities. SCHOOLS Tennis was offered in more than 20,000 schools across the country, as part of their overall physical education programs. Since the start of 2017, the USTA has donated equipment to 8,300+ schools, including donations to 1,600 schools in 2022, giving 5.9 million children access to the sport. JUNIOR PLAY Numbers increased across the board for junior players competing in the Competitive Pathway. This included both an 18% increase in unique junior tournament players and a 25% increase in junior memberships. USTA LEAGUE USTA League, the country’s largest adult tennis league for players of all skill levels, grew by 11% in 2022, with 284,000 unique participants competing throughout the year.
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