Tennis leaders across the country are working tirelessly to replenish the sport’s talent pipeline and return it to growth mode, both from an organizational and individual perspective.
TIA’s Rally the Family program stands as an outstanding example of larger efforts to revitalize pickleball, while more local initiatives such as Honolulu’s construction of pickleball courts should also receive consideration.
USTA National Participation Report
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) continues to experience tremendous growth across many key industry categories. As such, grassroots tennis saw yet another milestone year with over one million new participants joining in 2022; furthering an incredible trend of exponential expansion for this sport.
Growth and health are not only key for the expansion of our game, but also for those who make tennis part of their lives. According to one recent study, participants who engage in racquet sports live 9.7 years longer on average than sedentary individuals – surpassing soccer players by five years, cycling riders by six and swimmers/joggers by 6.5.
Alongside an increase in people playing tennis has come an increase in diversity within the game. USTA diversity and inclusion efforts aim at breaking down barriers, expanding access, creating opportunities and making tennis more inclusive for a wider range of audiences. Through grants and scholarship opportunities from its charitable arm – The USTA Foundation – the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network of over 350 chapters provides free or low-cost tennis education programming in 50 major markets that reach over 200,000 youth annually.
NJTL also offers its Excellence Program to give top young talent from under-resourced communities an opportunity to participate in competitive pathways. Youth are selected based on academic performance, their passion for the game and promise of making a difference through hard work, perseverance and resilience – and are provided coaching, training, tournament travel arrangements at no cost to them through this initiative.
At a local level, tennis’ growth can also be seen with over 20,000 schools offering tennis as part of their physical education curriculum and NJTL reaching out to high schools with their Community Tennis programs. All these initiatives contribute towards further developing and promoting tennis alongside USTA’s 17 sections, volunteers and industry partners.
TIA Tennis Forum
TIA serves as the voice of tennis industry growth by producing over 70 market research reports that monitor industry trends. Available exclusively to TIA members, these reports also serve as industry updates during an annual Tennis Forum that takes place during US Open tournament week at Grand Hyatt Hotel New York City during which all members will hear updates from TIA and USTA leadership as well as get updated statistics and research reports from both organizations. This year’s Tennis Forum takes place August 26-27 during US Open week in New York. It will offer updates from both organizations’ leadership while attendees will also hear updates directly from TIA/USTA leadership on industry stats/research updates as well as updates from both organizations regarding updates regarding US Open-related news from both organizations /association.
The Tennis Industry Association Forum provides an unparalleled opportunity for industry leaders and providers to discuss challenges, opportunities and collaborative approaches to growing tennis. This year’s event will feature a Tech Fair featuring 13 technology companies working to bring innovative ideas and solutions into tennis; additionally, IdeaConnection and TIA collaborated on creating the “DISCOVERY CHALLENGE,” designed to spark ideas and innovation across tennis.
Tennis can be an engaging activity for children of all ages, yet many parents lack the knowledge to introduce it. A new survey conducted by the Tennis Foundation of the United States shows fewer than half of U.S. children aged 5-14 actually play tennis; it also found less than half are registered USTA members who participate in tennis lessons or lessons with private instruction providers. Its purpose was to increase participation by informing parents on its benefits for their child(ren).
A panel of experts will meet to explore ways to expand the game through social media, junior and adult programs development and improved marketing. Led by Jolyn de Boer of Tennis Industry Association America and Sports Marketing Surveys Vice President Keith Storey from Sports Marketing Surveys Vice President Keith Storey of Sports Marketing Surveys Vice President Keith Storey respectively, De Boer stated that millions of Americans aspire to play tennis and that industry needs to find ways to attract them as potential customers.
de Boer noted that the Tennis Industry Association is making efforts to increase sport’s bottom line and foster best practices in club management, such as developing training programs for clubs to reduce expenses and increase revenue, working with suppliers to negotiate lower prices for its members, and exploring innovative technologies for improving efficiency.
Next Gen ATP Finals in Saudi Arabia
The Association of Tennis Professionals announced that Jeddah will host the 2023 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by NEOM tournament, an end-of-season showcase featuring eight top men’s players aged 21 or under from 28 November-2 December at King Abdullah Sports City indoor hard courts. Milan previously held this season-ending tournament which now returns home with record prize pool of $2 Million offered for rising stars of men’s tennis.
In 2017, the ATP launched its inaugural Next Gen Finals competition with the intention of expanding and diversifying tennis by supporting young talent. It features a round-robin group stage, single elimination semi finals and best-of-five sets final for crowning an ATP Next Gen Finals champion – for which Deloitte Sport Business Group hosted a competitive bid process to determine its host country: Saudi Arabia will host this inaugural edition for the first time ever!
Along with its new venue, numerous innovations will be implemented at this tournament to improve fan experiences. These include a reduced shot clock, no on-court warm-up and free fan movement within the stadium (except behind baselines ). Furthermore, players will be permitted to take up to two practice serves per set while times between points at deuce will be reduced from 25 seconds down to 15 seconds for first serves following lets.
This year’s Pepperstone ATP Race to Jeddah features the reigning champions Jannik Sinner of Germany and Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece along with many rising talents, such as Jannik Sinner from Germany and Stefanos Tsitsipas from Greece – as well as several up-and-comers who will vie for spots through an automatic qualification system or qualifying tournaments, plus one wild card slot.
On Tuesday, the Next Gen ATP Finals kicked off for its inaugural year in Saudi Arabia. Frenchman Arthur Fils was set against Italian Luca Nardi in their opening Green Group match. Prior to this, players participated in an official group photo session at Al-Balad – Jeddah’s historical old town and UNESCO World Heritage Site; visited Jeddah Museum of Islamic Art; as well as explored local markets around Red Sea City.
HEAD Ambassadors
Head ambassadors serve as role models for students and prospective families alike, acting as role models and engaging in various fun projects such as social media takeovers. “Students love this because it allows them to show another side to Bishop’s School,” notes Lauren Beattie, associate director of admissions for Bishop’s School.
Head ambassadors offer campus tours to prospective parents and students. According to Ryan, this tour provides them with a great opportunity to demonstrate the creative activities available within the school and highlight all of its different experiences for both families as well as prospective students. They have found this to be very well received with many giving positive feedback about what it gives them an idea of what life would be like with students here.
Students interested in becoming Leadership Ambassadors must make a pledge that they will attend both National Conventions, attending all Leadership Sessions. Failure to fulfill this commitment means forfeiting their interview opportunity and serving on committee. Furthermore, participants must commit to both years’ local Leadership Program participation; failing which they may be removed from participation altogether. Registration process includes recommendation by their school’s sponsor or executive head as well as short interview. Deadline to apply: April 25.
