Taking Care of the Players

Taking Care of the Players

Historical Tennis Participation

The Racquet Industry Research Group (RIRG) publishes a chart on its website that estimates tennis participation was 6.7 million in 1960. In 1988, tennis participation was 24.8 million. Since then, it has ranged from 21.3 million in 1995 to a peak of 30.1 million in 2010. Between then and 2019, participation declined, then became stagnant. The COVID-19-related spike occurred in 2020. Solid growth continued, and in 2025, there were 27.3 million players, about half of whom play once a year.

The U.S. population from the Census Bureau follows:

• 1990  249.6 million

• 2000  282.2 million

• 2010  309.4 million

• 2020  331.6 million

• 2025  338.0 million

Since 1990, industry initiatives have been implemented to increase participation; the tennis infrastructure has improved; the U.S. Open has become a revenue-generating machine; and tennis has grown in popularity worldwide. Meanwhile, the U.S. population has grown by 88 million, and tennis participation is stuck in a rut.

Missions for Tennis National Governing Bodies (NGB)

The USTA, ITA, and NFHS identify themselves as NGBs. The USTA is the only organization with international influence.

• USTA – The USTA is the national governing body for tennis in the United States. Its mission is to grow tennis to inspire healthier people and communities everywhere. It strives to make tennis accessible and enjoyable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. (click here) Other sources indicate the USTA’s primary function is to manage the rules of tennis and select the players who represent the United States in the Olympics. The above link shows many of the functions performed by the USTA. The USTA is truly a “jack of all trades.”

• ITA – the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) is the governing body of college tennis, overseeing men’s and women’s varsity tennis at all levels. The mission of the ITA is to serve all of college tennis within higher education, to advance tennis, and to develop the leaders of tomorrow. Its transformative purpose is to empower student-athletes to transform lives through tennis. (click here)

• NFHS – The National Federation of High School Associations serves as the national authority that promotes and protects the defining values of education-based high school athletics and activities in collaboration with its member state associations. It serves as the national authority on competition rules, while promoting fair play and minimizing the risk of injury for student participants in education-based high school athletics and activities. (click here)

Missions for Tennis Trade Associations for Teaching Professionals

A Different Approach to Increasing Participation

Participation is important to the three NGBs. They each produce participation statistics.

The USPTA/RSPA and PTR have supported all industry participation initiatives. With that in mind, the mission statements show that these organizations have many priorities, in addition to increasing participation.

Growing the game initiatives have been well-intended. Unfortunately, there has not been a sustained increase in participation in several decades. Industry leaders must ask whether these initiatives have addressed the symptoms (participation) or the source of the problem.

A different approach is appropriate for attraction and retention! That effort should emphasize “taking care of the player.”

Taking Care of the Players

The foundation for “taking care of the players” is based on the following mindsets:

• Ray Kroc stated, “Take care of the customer, and the business will take care of itself.”

• John Wooden said, “You haven't taught until they have learned.”

Tennis teaching professionals are the primary contact for creating more positive tennis experiences and ensuring that players learn to play and enjoy their time around tennis. In an environment based on creating experiences and learning to play, attracting and retaining players will be much easier.

The above concepts will require the tennis industry to upgrade the business expertise, teaching, communication, and other soft skills of its workforce.

Take care of the players! Everyone wins when that happens!

In addition, Gary Horvath has conducted extensive business and economic research that has largely supported the state of Colorado's economic development efforts.