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Why Tennis is More Popular Than Ever

August 6, 2025 Juan

There are 25.7 million tennis players in the USA in 2025.

That is the highest number ever on record.

It comes after five consecutive years of growth.

It would be fair to say our sport is more popular than it’s ever been. And for good reason.

Here are 3 reasons we think more people than ever are picking up a racket and stepping on court.

Three Reasons Behind Tennis's Surge

1. The Contentification of Tennis

Tennis has found its perfect match in short-form content.

The sport naturally creates highlight-worthy moments that work beautifully in clip-based formats.

Take Wimbledon's recent social media success as an example. The tournament generated nearly 6,000 posts, 4.7 billion impressions, 2.7 billion video views, and 2.3 million new followers.

This digital transformation is driving real participation among younger players.

Under 35s contributed two-thirds of all tennis growth, and under 25s drove 45% of total participation gains.

The TikTok generation isn't just watching tennis content. They're picking up rackets and learning the game themselves.

2. Tennis as a Lifestyle

The lifestyle appeal of tennis has never been stronger.

From tenniscore fashion trends to the sport's association with wellness and social connection, tennis represents an aspirational way of life that resonates across demographics.

This cultural shift is reflected in tennis's increasingly diverse player base. Black and African American participation grew by 26%, while Hispanic participation increased by 15.4%.

These numbers show tennis is shedding its exclusive image and becoming accessible to broader communities.

But the growth isn't just about trying the sport once or twice.

Players who play 10 or more times per year have reached a record 13 million, showing that tennis has evolved from casual recreation to part of people’s lifestyles.

3. World-Class Talent and Personalities

Tennis enjoys compelling stars across both the men's ATP tour and the women's WTA tour.

While we’re still working towards even better equality, having the men and women shine together creates a unique experience compared to other sports.

The sport benefits from players who bring engaging personalities and storylines beyond their on-court achievements.

These athletes function as influencers and cultural figures, connecting with fans on multiple levels and inspiring new players to try the game.

With 575 million total play occasions recorded by USTA, these stars are clearly driving people to actual courts, not just encouraging passive viewership.

What This Means for the Future

With 1 in 12 Americans now playing tennis, the sport has reached a tipping point that creates both opportunity and responsibility.

At ReString, we recognize our role in supporting this growth by providing new and existing players with the best possible string options.

Having the right strings can make the difference between players enjoying their time on court and truly falling in love with the game.

USTA's projection of 35 million players by 2035 feels not just achievable but inevitable at this point.

Tennis has found its perfect moment, and the momentum shows no signs of slowing.

About the Author: Juan is the co-founder of ReString. He was born in Argentina, raised in Japan, and moved to the US to pursue college tennis. He now plays as an ATP & WTA hitting partner.