In the most recent USTA/TIA tennis participation study, the age demographic that saw the greatest percentage increase in 2012 was young players 6 to 11, which increased 13% from 2011. Clearly, messages about 10 and Under Tennis are reaching kids, their parents, and tennis providers—and all of that is having a positive influence in other industry segments, too.

Tennis director and former club owner Rick Vetter says it’s not rocket science: Fewer Courts + More Players = More Income. How do you put this formula into practice at your tennis facility? One of the most reliable answers is with 10 and Under Tennis, which brings more kids onto the court at one time. But there’s a bonus, adds Vetter: 10 and Under Tennis also helps you build your base of players for the future.

The USTA celebrated the refurbishment and creation of 10,000 youth-sized tennis courts in the U.S. as part of USTA’s commitment to First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative. A celebratory event, Court 10K, was held on March 19 at the Tamiami Tennis Center in Miami to commemorate the milestone.

In March, at meetings in New York City and Florida with retailers, manufacturers and the TIA Board of Directors, the idea of a “Tennis Tune-Up” and Restringing Campaign received widespread support as something that can help drive consumers to tennis retail stores.

In an effort to create even more cross-over between the tennis and fitness world, the TIA, which manages the Cardio Tennis program in the U.S. and internationally, has partnered with one of the leading fitness products and programs, TRX, to create the ultimate ball striking and calorie burning workout with power, strength, balance and flexibility components.

Would you like to offer a new tournament format for your club or tennis group this season? Why not host a Cardio Tennis Triples Tournament? Usually there are only two types of competition available to players – tournaments and leagues. We know how long and frustrating tournaments can be and what a huge commitment a league is. With Cardio Tennis Triples, players experience the camaraderie of a league team in a format that only takes a few hours of intense, fun, and calorie-burning competition. You can run an entire event, keeping large numbers of people on court and having fun, in a single evening or weekend morning or afternoon.

Beginning in early 2012 the Tennis Industry Association worked closely with the USTA and tennis industry manufacturers to develop a National Youth Tennis Retail Initiative plan. The focus of this plan was to develop consistent messaging that would help educate consumers and retailers on the proper equipment for youth tennis as well as drive them to the website, youthtennis.com, where they could find play opportunities quickly and easily. As a result, the TIA coordinated the printing of over 1 million tennis racquet hang-cards to be placed on youth racquets at the various retail channels throughout the United States. In addiiton, the TIA worked closely with the USTA to develop POP signage for retailers to utilize in their stores.

In March, the Tennis Industry Association organized meetings in both New York and Florida to discuss efforts to promote retail and to grow the game and the "business of tennis."

Certified Fitness professionals who participate in and complete a seven hour Cardio Tennis Training can now receive Continuing Education Units from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. With this announcement, Cardio Tennis becomes the first tennis oriented programs to receive continuing education accreditation by the NASM, which has been the global leader in delivering evidenced-based certifications and advanced credentials to health and fitness professionals since 1987.

Spirits were high in South Beach on Tuesday as the USTA celebrated the refurbishment and creation of 10,000 youth-sized tennis courts in the United States.