How Many People Play Tennis In The World?

Tennis is a sport enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds, making it one of the world’s most widely played recreational activities. From young children picking up a racket for the first time to seniors enjoying a friendly game at their local club, tennis has a broad appeal that exceeds cultures and borders. 

According to the International Tennis Federation (ITF) recent tennis report and statistics, there are about 87 million tennis players around the globe, making it 1.17% of the world’s population. 

One of the reasons for the broad participation in tennis is its accessibility. Unlike many other sports, tennis can be played on various surfaces, including hard courts, clay courts, grass courts, and even indoor courts. 

This diversity allows people to enjoy the game regardless of their geographical location or climate, making it a popular choice in both urban and rural areas worldwide.

How many people play tennis in the world? – ITF Report

Well, the exact number of people who play tennis worldwide is difficult to determine, as it varies greatly depending on different factors such as location, age groups, and levels of competition. 

However, tennis is a globally popular sport, with millions of individuals participating in casual or competitive play. As of 2019, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has reported that there are approximately 87 million tennis players worldwide. 

This makes up 1.17% of the total world’s population. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) also has the aim to raise this target to 120 million by 2030z  

Tennis Players Worldwide 

Tennis is becoming more popular, and people often wonder which countries have the most players. According to reports from the International Tennis Federation (IFT), around 90% of tennis players are found in Europe, Asia, and North America, making these regions the hotspots for tennis activities.

The United States 

Among all these countries, the United States of America takes the lead with a whopping 17.84 million tennis players, constituting 24.6% of the total number. Because the growth rate of tennis players in the US  hasn’t been exceptionally high, it’s been steady. 

It has shown a 0.9% increase compared to the data reported in 2018. So, tennis enthusiasts in the USA continue to contribute significantly to the sport’s overall player base.

Europe 

When we look at the European countries, we find about 25 million people playing tennis in the entire European region. Now, here’s the interesting part: almost 9 out of every 10 players, of all the tennis enthusiasts, are living in specific countries. 

These include France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. Many tennis player stats are found in the aforementioned European countries. 

Now, coming to the United Kingdom. Just in the UK, there are about 3 million tennis players, making up around 12% of all the tennis-loving folks in European countries. And guess what? These UK players are pretty active on the tennis court as well. They report playing tennis at least four times a year, making tennis a pretty popular pastime in the UK.

Asia 

The sport is also gaining popularity in Asia, with countries like China, India, and Japan making significant investments in tennis development. With many top players emerging from these regions has led to a surge in interest and participation in the sport. This highlights its global reach and potential for further growth.

Let’s talk about tennis players staying in Asia now. Asia is like the growing tennis hub now, with about 33 million people playing the game. Now, when we break it down, China takes the lead with almost a quarter of all players, making up 22.9% of the tennis-loving crowd in Asia. 

India is next in line with 10.2%, and Japan isn’t far behind, contributing 4.6% to the total number of players in the region.

By Gender Tennis Participation

As per the reports from the International Tennis Federation (IFT), there are about 87 million tennis players worldwide. Coming to the gender-related stats: the participation of tennis players comprises 53% male and 47% female. It is certainly a pretty close match between men and women, with male players currently taking the lead. 

The most balanced distribution when it comes to gender is found in Africa. This continent is doing something with a special gender distribution among tennis players, with 50.3% of the players in Africa being females, making it a place where both men and women participate equally. 

However, across the globe, male players take a bit more of the spotlight, though not by a huge margin. According to the IFT, the regions with the least female players are Central America and the Caribbean, where only 34.5% of tennis enthusiasts are women. 

So, it seems like in different parts of the world, tennis is a game enjoyed by all, but the gender mix differs somewhat. 

By Age Tennis Participation 

People of all ages are getting into the game, using it as a fantastic way to stay active and healthy. In the USA alone, 40% of tennis players are over 35. There are other 10% as well who are hitting the courts at 50 or beyond. 

Now, when it comes to the pros, age starts to play a role. In 2019, over half, precisely 58.3%, of the top 500 ranked professional players in the ATP were 25 or older. It’s a bit different from a few decades ago when the average age was around 23. The game has evolved, and now, the average age for both men and women pros falls between 19 to 32, covering about 90% of ranking players. 

Professional Players

There are 3,619 tennis players in the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals)/ WTA (Women Tennis Association) rankings from 113 countries. But 75% are from just 24 countries, and 58.8% are from Europe. 

The US leads with 10.1%, followed by France with 6.3%, Italy with 6.0% and Russia with 5.5%. In 2019, 640 players made the Top 250 Ranking; 50% of the top men were from 7 countries, and women from 9. Europe dominates with 62.2%, while Central America and the Caribbean have only 0.9%.

Conclusion

The global attraction of the tennis game is obvious through its widespread participation by people of all ages and its availability across diverse geographical regions. With its broad reach and lasting popularity, tennis continues to be a sport that captivates millions of people worldwide, making it a key and popular sport worldwide. 

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