Tennis Industry News

The first half of 2011 has proved to be challenging for the tennis industry as it has for the sporting goods industry and US economy overall. Looming concerns over a “double-dip” recession, high unemployment rates, and consumer confidence continue to impact the various segments of the tennis industry. Higher than average precipitation across major tennis regions in the US in the spring and a warmer than normal summer may also be contributing factors to the shift in tennis consumer buying habits. There are a few bright spots, however, that indicate the industry is still well positioned for growth and is in better position, overall, than other traditional sports.

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The TIA continues to support tennis retail with key resources, initiatives and research designed to help retailers run their businesses and connect with consumers. Visit TennisRetailers.org for more information.

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The TIA has recently released two new reports – “State of the Tennis Industry” and the “TIA Strategic Overview” – that look at trends and research in the industry and identify and describe the TIA’s four top-level strategies for industry growth.

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The Tennis Industry Association has a long-standing mission of promoting the growth and economic vitality of the tennis industry. While the economy and other factors are challenges our industry must face, we must also remain focused on our long-term strategies and efforts to help grow our sport and the overall tennis economy.

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The Tennis Industry Association plans to release a newly developed and revamped report in August designed to “help narrate the story of the tennis industry,” says TIA Executive Director Jolyn de Boer.

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In the upcoming months the TIA will be releasing a re-designed State of the Industry report which synthesizes the various research studies conducted by the TIA into a single document that “tells the story” of the tennis industry.

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With a multi-million dollar investment from the USTA in 10 and Under Tennis, there is a huge potential for growth in our sport. Although overall participation declined slightly in 2010, due in part to the still-fragile economy, research indicators point toward the great opportunity that the youth market brings to the tennis industry. Here are some highlights from TIA research, including the Court Activity Monitor, Cost of Doing Business–Retailers, participation studies and census data:

• A huge segment of the youth market has yet to be tapped. There are nearly 18 million kids ages 10 and under in the U.S., and only 3.2 million, or
  roughly 18%, participated in tennis in 2010.
• Facilities perceive a great value from 10 and Under Tennis, which uses the
  QuickStart Tennis format. Facilities rate QST nearly a 4 out of 5 on a “benefit
  to your facility scale,” where 5 was “excellent.”
• Youth racquets accounted for nearly 30% of total wholesale racquet
  shipments in 2010, and transition balls, a cornerstone of the QST play format,
  saw full-year shipments rise 33% in 2010 vs. 2009.
• Junior frames also accounted for over 22% of the new racquet introductions
  by manufacturers in 2010.
• Junior tennis equipment now accounts for over 4% of revenue generated at
  tennis specialty stores.

The TIA will continue to monitor the impact of the 10 and Under Tennis
Initiative on the sport and the industry. Contact the TIA for more information
on TIA research. For retailers looking to get involved in the 10 and Under Tennis
effort, visit TennisRetailers.org.

The 2011 Physical Activity Council sports participation study is available for free download at PhysicalActivityCouncil.com.  The annual "Play Report" measures participation in 119 different sports and activities and is produced by a partnership of seven of the major governing bodies and trade associations in U.S. sports and leisure:  Tennis Industry Association and the United States Tennis Association, The National Golf Foundation, Snowsports Industries America, The Outdoor Foundation, IHRSA, and the Sporting Goods Manufactureres Association . 

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The 2010 Tennis Marketplace, recently released, is an executive summary of top-line data and highlights from the TIA's extensive research studies including the 2010 USTA/TIA Participation Study, the Tennis Consumer Study, the Dealer Trends Study, and the Retail Market Overview.  The 2010 report also includes a preview of the TIA Economic Index, which is being developed to value the economic worth of the tennis industry. 

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The latest data from the Physical Activity Council (PAC) shows participation in the sport grew  46% from 2000 through 2010, making tennis by far the fastest growing traditional participation sport in the U.S. for the past decade.

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