Patrick McEnroe (R), seen here commenting for the TV broadcast of the 2025 US Open Tennis Championships with brother John McEnroe, recently spoke to me about the continuing increase in tennis participation in the U.S. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/GC Images)
GC Images
The principle that what goes up must come down does not seem to apply to tennis participation in the U.S., at least not since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The popularity of tennis has consistently risen for the sixth year in a row, as highlighted by the 2026 U.S. Tennis Participation Report. In 2025, the number of tennis players grew by 1.6 million, bringing the total to 27.3 million Americans, a six percent increase.
Patrick McEnroe, who has been a tennis player, U.S. Davis Cup team captain, broadcaster, and co-director of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, described this trend as a “boom for tennis the last five years.” He noted that the JMTA courts on Randall’s Island in New York City expanded from 20 to 29 courts, and each day, these courts are fully booked with children. The increase in participation is not limited to adults; more children are also getting involved and staying engaged in the sport.
Since 2019 U.S. Tennis Participation Has Grown By 54 Percent
Throughout the 2020s, tennis has seen significant growth. The COVID-19 pandemic played a role in this surge. In March 2020, as the virus spread rapidly, the U.S. had to take measures to control it, leading to widespread shutdowns. In the absence of clear guidance on physical activity, tennis emerged as a viable option for staying active and maintaining social connections while observing social distancing. McEnroe noted that tennis became a popular choice because “there wasn’t a lot that people could do sporting-wise and activity wise.” That year, tennis participation increased by 22 percent.
Even as the situation improved, tennis participation continued to rise steadily in the following years, illustrating a positive outcome from the pandemic. Since 2019, the number of tennis players has increased by 54 percent, adding nearly 10 million new players over six consecutive years of growth.
4.9 Million Picked Up Tennis Racquets For The First Time In 2025
The report is based on the Physical Activity Council Study on Sports and Physical Activity and the PLAY Study, which surveyed about 36,000 people in the U.S. The findings revealed that 4.9 million individuals began playing tennis for the first time in 2025, a nine percent increase from the previous year.
Additionally, the surveys showed that many players remained committed to the sport. Approximately 20.7 million players continued playing tennis, a 10 percent increase from 2024, with 1.7 million returning to the sport after a break of more than a year. Meanwhile, about 25 million Americans who don’t currently play tennis expressed interest in the sport and may contribute to future growth.
More Tennis Participation Could Mean More Health Benefits For More People
Patrick McEnroe, Vice-Captain of Team World speaks with Frances Tiafoe of Team World (Left wearing a Chelsea FC shirt) during a Team World Practice Session at Uber Arena on September 19, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
Getty Images for Laver Cup
The developments in 2025 position the U.S. Tennis Association well to achieve its goal of 35 million players by 2035. Brian Vahaly, USTA Chairman of the Board and Interim Co-CEO, has previously discussed this objective and referred to tennis as the “world’s healthiest sport.”
While there might be debates about such claims, tennis undeniably offers numerous health benefits and is accessible to people of nearly all ages. McEnroe shared a personal experience of playing tennis with a 97-year-old woman, underscoring the sport’s inclusivity.
The mental and physical benefits of tennis contribute to its positive narrative, with McEnroe emphasizing the comprehensive engagement of the body and mind in the sport.
Tennis Participation Continues To Grow More And More Diverse
The USTA has been working to change the perception of tennis as an elitist sport, and efforts to diversify participation are evident. Initiatives by organizations like the JMTA have introduced tennis to local schools in areas like the South Bronx and Harlem, providing scholarships and opportunities for children from diverse backgrounds.
Survey results indicate progress in expanding diversity, with significant increases in tennis participation among Black/African Americans, Hispanic/Latino players, and Asian/Pacific Islander players in 2025. The number of women playing tennis also saw a 10 percent increase over the year. It’s clear that tennis participation is growing, welcoming more people from various backgrounds.
