TENNIS INDUSTRY DATA SHOWS CONTINUED GROWTH OF THE SPORT IN THE U.S.

New Numbers from Tennis Industry Association Show Significant Increases

in Multiple Categories, Including Racquet and String Shipments

 

These Numbers Follow the Positive Trend Seen in Tennis Participation

 

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., August 22, 2021 – The USTA today announced that key numbers for tennis industry categories have shown a significant increase in the first six months of 2021 vs. 2020, continuing a trend of positive growth for grassroots tennis in the U.S.  This news follows the results of a report from earlier this year detailing the sport’s increase in participation across the country.

 

Included in the Tennis Industry Association’s

(TIA) most recent report is data for the first half of 2021, with comparisons to the same time period in 2020. Highlights of this information include:

• Year-to-date increase of 40.5% for total racquet shipments
• Year-to-date increase of 143.3% for racquets in the $50+ range, with a 280% increase for the range Q2 ’21 v Q2 ‘20
• Year-to-date increase of 66% for string unit shipments, with a 158% increase for string units Q2 ’21 v Q2 ‘20

 

As announced earlier this year, tennis participation increased by 22% in 2020 versus 2019, with 21.64 million people hitting the courts.  Of the more than 21 million Americans saying they played tennis last year, 6.78 million were new and returning players.  The nearl7 3 million new players (2.96 million) was a 44% increase over new players in 2019.

 

“Tennis saw a significant increase in participation, as people turned to our sport as a safe way to stay active and healthy during the pandemic,” said Mike Dowse, CEO and Executive Director, USTA.  “These most recent numbers show that the sport continues to see growth, and we now have the opportunity to capitalize on this momentum, keeping those that have recently taken up the game playing the sport, and getting new players out on the courts.”