Tennis is the perfect socially-distanced sport – and the numbers continue to prove it.
Tennis participation in the U.S. increased by 22% in 2020, with 21.64 million people hitting the courts, according to recent data from the Physical Activity Council’s Participation (PAC) report produced by Sports Marketing Surveys. The survey and report monitor more than 120 different sports and activities Americans participate in.
Of the more than 21 million Americans saying they played tennis last year, 6.78 million were either new or returning/lapsed players. Nearly 3 million of those were first-time players, a 44% increase over new players in 2019. Additionally, the 3.82 million Americans who returned to the sport after time away was a 40% increase over the same measure in 2019.
With its inherent social distancing, along with many other health benefits, tennis continues to show strength in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. To that end, the USTA – with input from the USTA Medical Advisory Group – established in 2020 a series of recommendations and guidelines on how to play tennis safely for both players and facilities. Additionally, a recent study, which analyzed the surface of balls used in various sports, showed that tennis balls used during normal play are unlikely to put players at risk of developing COVID-19.
Tennis’ positive health impacts are well-documented and have recently been further highlighted by one of the largest sport-specific studies to date. The study, published in the July 2020 edition of the Journal of Medicine and Science in Tennis, showed that those who play the sport have higher general, physical, social, and mental health scores than the general population.
The USTA National Campus has seen the positive trends firsthand, with strong programming numbers throughout the second half of 2020 that have carried into 2021.
In addition to all regular programming, the campus will be offering its traditional Spring Break Camps in March. These half-day camps held March 15-19 mimic the campus’ popular Summer Camp and are designed with the perfect blend of competition, camaraderie, and fun.
The Spring Break Camps are available to players enrolled in both Nemours Family Zone and Youth Development programs. The Nemours Family Zone Camps are held daily from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and are for participants playing at both the Red Ball and Orange Ball Level. The Youth Development Camps are held daily from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and are for players who participate in any of the traditional youth programs at the campus.
For more information or to register, please visit www.ustanationalcampus.com.
