Tennis Participation Booms in the U.S. 

A New Record of 27.3 million Players in 2025

Tennis in the United States is experiencing an exciting renaissance. According to the latest figures released by the United States Tennis Association (USTA), the sport reached an all-time high of 27.3 million players in 2025, marking six straight years of growth and an impressive 54 % increase since 2019 (USTA). 

This surge reflects a broader shift: more Americans are picking up a racquet, returning to the sport after long breaks, and playing more often than ever before — pointing to tennis’ expanding appeal across ages, communities, and regions nationwide (USTA). 

📈 The Growth Story: More Players, More Play

The USTA’s analysis, conducted with independent research by the National Golf Foundation using data from the Physical Activity Council and PLAY Study, highlights several key trends from the 2025 season:

• Record participation: U.S. tennis now has 27.3 million players, up 1.6 million from 2024.
• Frequent players are up: “Core players” — those who play 10+ times a year — increased by 1.5 million to 14.5 million, meaning more than half of all players are actively engaged.
• Retention is improving: 20.7 million players stuck with the sport year-over-year, a 10 % improvement. An additional 1.7 million returned after a break of at least a year.
• New players continuing to rise: Nearly 4.9 million people played tennis for the first time in 2025 — a 9 % year-over-year increase (USTA)

These numbers don’t just reflect casual play — they show deeper engagement and a healthier playing base that’s likely to keep coming back.

🌍 Diversity and Inclusion on the Court

One of the most encouraging aspects of this growth is who’s playing:

• Women led the participation increase, with 1.1 million more women joining the sport in 2025 — a 10 % rise.
• Communities of color also saw strong gains:
  • Black/African American players increased by more than 450,000 (up 14 %).
  • Hispanic/Latino participation grew by over 550,000 (up 12 %).
  • Asian/Pacific Islander players rose by more than 260,000, a 10 % jump.

These trends suggest that tennis is resonating with a broader slice of the U.S. population — a major milestone for a sport historically seen as less accessible to diverse communities (USTA)

🎯 Looking Ahead: The USTA’s Vision

A staggering 25 million non-players surveyed expressed interest in trying tennis, pointing to a potential future surge in participation as access and awareness continue to grow (USTA).

USTA’s goal is to reach 35 million players by 2035 and to achieve it, part of its strategy is to not just attracting newcomers, but to invest in retention, diversity, facilities, and community engagement, ensuring players don’t just try tennis, but stay with it for the long haul.

🏟️ What This Means for Tennis Culture

Whether it’s neighborhood courts buzzing with beginner energy, local leagues sparking friendly rivalries, or families discovering tennis as a healthy, social sport together, these numbers suggest that tennis in America is alive with momentum. From casual weekend players to dedicated club members, the sport’s ecosystem is expanding.

For anyone passionate about tennis — whether a seasoned competitor or someone thinking about hitting the courts for the first time — the message is clear: tennis is thriving in the U.S., and there’s never been a better time to be part of the game. 

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