Surge of beginner adult players!

[TypeRx]

30 court public facility near me had a 2-hour wait for a court the other night. Town has ~95 public courts and it is hit or miss on when you can get a court since there is no reservation system. And, they only allow 1 hour of play per court when others are waiting. Maybe with it getting dark so early now and colder at night less people will play.

I am so glad the sport has gained some popularity but it is incredibly annoying to not be able to get a court like usual anymore. Oh well......

 

[Wiztardo]

Nope, no masks on the court. It was 13 people spread across 3 courts, so I was good with it. Temperature check and mask required when entering the club, but as soon as you are on the courts you can take the mask off. And they've got tons of hand sanitizers in the play area.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I miss seeing the sofas burning after WV games. That was a great college football tradition. Just sayin'

You know you've burned too many couches when ...

Great job, Mountaineers!

www.sbnation.com

Did Ikea start that tradition?

 

[Cashman]

Was everyone wearing a mask?

But seriously, that seems like a lot of people crowded on a court in a pandemic. Our club just went to singles only due to the spiking number of cases (and our spike is 500 cases daily in a Province of 5 million)

Yeah, we have single digit daily cases for the whole country and we’re still social distancing.

 

[stapletonj]

Did Ikea start that tradition?

Hey hey hey!

WE ARE MARSHALL!!!!!!!! NOT The University of Southwestern Pennsylvania Morgantown Campus !!!!!!

WE are over here next to KY....

 

[r2473]

The obvious reason for the increase of people on the courts is the current planetary climate change--tennis was listed as the safest sport for safe distancing--people heard about it and dug their dusty rackets out of the closet. They're mostly the once a year players but a few might stick around especially if this thing is dragged out much longer and people don't have any money for other activities like golf and advanced recreational drinking--tennis is CHEAP and thrives in the hard times like depressions--balls and rackets are cheap and plenty of empty courts.

Golf has been the same. Courses have been packed all year

 

[OnTheLine]

Hey hey hey!

WE ARE MARSHALL!!!!!!!! NOT The University of Southwestern Pennsylvania Morgantown Campus !!!!!!

WE are over here next to KY....

In the same division as East Overshoe Junior College?

 

[stapletonj]

Nope. actually ranked #15 in the country right now.

 

[EllieK]

I started lessons right before covid lockdown. Started up again when the courts became available. I always wanted to actually learn how to play and now I have the time and financial resources to take advantage. I’m really enjoying it. Even if I am not ever a particularly good player, I will treat it as a good workout to add to my exercise regimen and a challenge I enjoy.

 

[MRfStop]

Kind of touched on this in a few threads here and there and wondering if other areas are seeing the same....

My club, and frankly across the city we are seeing an impressive surge of new adult players. Flocking to clubs and public parks and now that fall leagues have begun it shows in league participation! Our beginner's classes are HUGE with 30+ participants per day (5 days a week).

Normally the district fields maybe 4-5 women's 2.5 teams ... this Fall we are have 11 teams .... all at 10+ players per roster (2.5 is 1 line of singles, 2 lines of dubs)

At men's 3.0, we have normally 6-7 teams, this Fall 11 teams ... most have 12+ players (1 singles, 3 lines dubs)

Women's 3.0 grew from 10 teams last year to 13 teams this year less impressive but these are big rosters

The 3.5 and 4.0 levels are also up in terms of teams and participants this fall but no where near as noteworthy as the lower levels.

Any other areas seeing something similar? I think it's pretty cool!

I haven’t seen an increase in teams in my area but since Agape left Macon Tennis has started a program to help get more tennis participation by giving people who have never played a chance to learn the rules of the game and do drills weekly.

 

[OnTheLine]

I haven’t seen an increase in teams in my area but since Agape left Macon Tennis has started a program to help get more tennis participation by giving people who have never played a chance to learn the rules of the game and do drills weekly.

Granted the weather may not be as good for starting it as it would have been a few months back ... but an only weekly drill will not create that surge I don't think.
The program at my club is awesome ... 5 days a week offered 1 or 2 times a day (depending on the day). Each lesson is 1 hour.
It is broken into weeks and they allow participants to begin at any week except week 4.
Week 1: forehand. Starting with the fundamentals and progressions.
Week 2: backhand.
Week 3 Volleys
Week 4 Serves and overheads

Then "graduates" then have their own 90 minute clinic to learn matchplay, positioning and basic strategy.

The program does a good job of really getting people hooked. They also do a good job of getting people in with 2.5/3.0 captains and straight into league play.

Since May the club has had to add 3 new teaching pros to handle all the extra demand for clinics and private lessons. Pretty awesome!

 

[silentkman]

Granted the weather may not be as good for starting it as it would have been a few months back ... but an only weekly drill will not create that surge I don't think.
The program at my club is awesome ... 5 days a week offered 1 or 2 times a day (depending on the day). Each lesson is 1 hour.
It is broken into weeks and they allow participants to begin at any week except week 4.
Week 1: forehand. Starting with the fundamentals and progressions.
Week 2: backhand.
Week 3 Volleys
Week 4 Serves and overheads

Then "graduates" then have their own 90 minute clinic to learn matchplay, positioning and basic strategy.

The program does a good job of really getting people hooked. They also do a good job of getting people in with 2.5/3.0 captains and straight into league play.

Since May the club has had to add 3 new teaching pros to handle all the extra demand for clinics and private lessons. Pretty awesome!

very impressive

 

[MRfStop]

Granted the weather may not be as good for starting it as it would have been a few months back ... but an only weekly drill will not create that surge I don't think.
The program at my club is awesome ... 5 days a week offered 1 or 2 times a day (depending on the day). Each lesson is 1 hour.
It is broken into weeks and they allow participants to begin at any week except week 4.
Week 1: forehand. Starting with the fundamentals and progressions.
Week 2: backhand.
Week 3 Volleys
Week 4 Serves and overheads

Then "graduates" then have their own 90 minute clinic to learn matchplay, positioning and basic strategy.

The program does a good job of really getting people hooked. They also do a good job of getting people in with 2.5/3.0 captains and straight into league play.

Since May the club has had to add 3 new teaching pros to handle all the extra demand for clinics and private lessons. Pretty awesome!

Not sure how many days a week the "apprenticeship" is but it is bringing in more people who are interested in playing tennis

 

[OnTheLine]

Not sure how many days a week the "apprenticeship" is but it is bringing in more people who are interested in playing tennis

I think there are many adults that would love to start to play tennis and most clubs just don't have anything for them. They don't want to start in a kids class and private lessons are both a little intimidating and expensive. A good program can increase participation at a club for sure!

 

[sureshs]

I think there are many adults that would love to start to play tennis and most clubs just don't have anything for them. They don't want to start in a kids class and private lessons are both a little intimidating and expensive. A good program can increase participation at a club for sure!

They should start with the various stages of 10-and-under tennis and work their way up. Tennis missed the opportunity to market this for seniors, and the result is Pickleball.

 

[OnTheLine]

They should start with the various stages of 10-and-under tennis and work their way up. Tennis missed the opportunity to market this for seniors, and the result is Pickleball.

Did you not read what my club is doing? that is precisely what we are doing ... and it is really working!

 

[sureshs]

Did you not read what my club is doing? that is precisely what we are doing ... and it is really working!

I did now, but did not see any reference to 10-and-under tennis. It requires smaller courts and different balls.

 

[ChaelAZ]

Ughhhh...so many stray balls coming on court in matches now.

 

[PhxRacket]

Ughhhh...so many stray balls coming on court in matches now.

A nuisance to be sure. Only rivaled by that court sending your ball back to you DURING point play.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

A nuisance to be sure. Only rivaled by that court sending your ball back to you DURING point play.

Remember, though: you were a newbie once too.

 

[PhxRacket]

Remember, though: you were a newbie once too.

Thank you for reminding me. I sometimes forget.

 

[sureshs]

From the President of our club in the newsletter:

Does it seem that more members are playing more tennis during the covid pandemic? My gut says this is likely due to several reasons…
• Tennis has been widely publicized as one of the safest outdoor recreation activities.
• Many team sports are shut down, so many softball, basketball, and soccer players are resorting to tennis.
• Gyms are mostly shutdown, so many who attended spin classes, aerobics, yoga, etc. are now playing tennis.
• Adults who are working from home, and kids attending school remotely, have more flexible schedules, and no commute, so they are more available in mornings and evenings for tennis.

 

[Dartagnan64]

From the President of our club in the newsletter:

Does it seem that more members are playing more tennis during the covid pandemic? My gut says this is likely due to several reasons…
• Tennis has been widely publicized as one of the safest outdoor recreation activities.
• Many team sports are shut down, so many softball, basketball, and soccer players are resorting to tennis.
• Gyms are mostly shutdown, so many who attended spin classes, aerobics, yoga, etc. are now playing tennis.
• Adults who are working from home, and kids attending school remotely, have more flexible schedules, and no commute, so they are more available in mornings and evenings for tennis.

Gotta say it's a nightmare these days trying to get a prime time court. No one has anything else to do but play tennis. Golf season is over here. Hockey has been stopped except for kids. Ski hills are requiring bookings. Cycling is limited by rainy days and darkness. Too cold for outdoor get togethers.
But we've still got 12 bubbled courts and everyone wants one.

 

[OnTheLine]

Now that the weather has turned colder (60 at heat of afternoon, but after work more like 45-50F after sun goes down) the hoards of new players have thinned out a bit, leaving only the ones that got hooked.

Can get a court, but if you want a lesson with a pro as a one-off, they are all booked by newbies. Not a bad thing!

 

[mcs1970]

Pandemic and wfh do not fully explain why Tennis courts are full. Given that courts were being repurposed for pickleball even before all this, and pickleball being an easier sport for adults to pick up, shouldn’t this new crowd have gravitated towards that?

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Pandemic and wfh do not fully explain why Tennis courts are full. Given that courts were being repurposed for pickleball even before all this, and pickleball being an easier sport for adults to pick up, shouldn’t this new crowd have gravitated towards that?

The average person probably doesn't know what PB is but most everyone has seen tennis or maybe even dabbled.

 

[mcs1970]

The average person probably doesn't know what PB is but most everyone has seen tennis or maybe even dabbled.

But many such folks were moving to PB before the pandemic. Or maybe the PB scene has seen a boom too during these times.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

But many such folks were moving to PB before the pandemic. Or maybe the PB scene has seen a boom too during these times.

But weren't those new PBers transitioning tennis players as opposed to someone new to the sport?

Also, how many people have a PB racquet in the back of their closet from 10 years ago compared to a tennis racquet? I think people gravitated to tennis simply because they had the equipment and some minimal exposure to the sport.

 

[OnTheLine]

But weren't those new PBers transitioning tennis players as opposed to someone new to the sport?

Also, how many people have a PB racquet in the back of their closet from 10 years ago compared to a tennis racquet? I think people gravitated to tennis simply because they had the equipment and some minimal exposure to the sport.

The equipment is a huge part ... and the basic rules.
yes, likely a racquet in the back of the closet .... and if not there, then Target/Wally's carry tennis but not BP racquets

The rules: almost everyone knows the basic rules of tennis ... how many people know about the kitchen in PB?

 

[Papa Mango]

But many such folks were moving to PB before the pandemic. Or maybe the PB scene has seen a boom too during these times.

Surprisingly the PB courts have been emptier than PC (pre-covid). I am guessing it is due to the age of the players and the proximity while playing as well.
Don't know why its not as if they are huffing and puffing after long rallies.
Locally here there has been some backlash due to the noise, especially where the PB courts were built near homes/apartments. Since people are home all the time and the retired pickleballers are at the courts 8am - 8pm, I have heard stories of it coming to fisticuffs between the residents and the PB'ers

But weren't those new PBers transitioning tennis players as opposed to someone new to the sport?

Also, how many people have a PB racquet in the back of their closet from 10 years ago compared to a tennis racquet? I think people gravitated to tennis simply because they had the equipment and some minimal exposure to the sport.

I have strung like 15-20 Wilson Hyper hammers in the last 6 months. Most ask for the cheapest string and one of the rackets had something growing on the grip.I offered to replace the grip but he/she politely declined

 

[socallefty]

Pickle ball doubles doesn’t promote social distancing as it is a small court. Most PB players seem to be above 70 and are probably not taking the risk of socializing too much. The newbies in tennis seem to be younger people who are sick of staying at home all the time while they are already working from home these days.

 

[Papa Mango]

Pickle ball doubles doesn’t promote social distancing as it is a small court. Most PB players seem to be above 70 and are probably not taking the risk of socializing too much. The newbies in tennis seem to be younger people who are sick of staying at home all the time while they are already working from home these days.

Agree, but all the 70+ tennis players are still out there playing every single day

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

The rules: almost everyone knows the basic rules of tennis ... how many people know about the kitchen in PB?

The what?

 

[sureshs]

Confirmed by the USTA:

The numbers prove the point: Year-over-year data shows significant growth in racquet sales and tennis participation throughout the nation.

According to the Tennis Industry Association (TIA) Quarterly USA Wholesale Equipment Census, racquet sales in the entry-level category have seen significant growth in the third quarter of 2020, compared to the same period in 2019. This July-September time frame coincides with the period when much of the country began to reopen for business following the initial wave of COVID-19. The increase is seen in both the youth and adult demographics, with shipments of youth racquets up 40.9% and shipments of adult racquets under $50 (entry-level) seeing an increase of 43.3%. For all price points, racquet shipments are up 37.7% in that same time period.

In addition, the Physical Activity Council reported 10.08% of the U.S. population playing tennis over that span, compared to 6.75% in the third quarter of 2019—an increase of nearly 50%. With the U.S. population now over 331 million, the 3.33% jump represents roughly 11 million tennis players.

Tennis facilities throughout the country have benefitted from this increase in play, including nationwide centers like Genesis Health Clubs, ClubCorp and Cliff Drysdale Tennis.

Genesis has seen increases in tennis revenue across their 14 tennis clubs, with 2020 financials doubling 2019 numbers in Lawrence, Kansas.

“The thing we heard most is that people wanted to be able to play tennis with their friends,” said national tennis director Mike Woody, highlighting the social aspect of the sport.

Activity has increased through a combination of new players and an increase in the rate of play from returners. Genesis clubs saw more than 1,500 registrants for various adult camps across the last four months, with programming for all levels, in addition to competitive events like USTA tournaments, on offer.

Tennis industry shows strength in face of coronavirus pandemic

People are turning to tennis as the ideal social-distancing sport to remain active, healthy and social. Industry sales and participation levels prove it, with 2020 numbers surpassing 2019.

www.usta.com

 

[PURETENNISsense]

It's great for the sport, which IMO has seen ever-declining #s.

I'm curious, what makes you feel it's declining?

 

[PURETENNISsense]

Confirmed by the USTA:

The numbers prove the point: Year-over-year data shows significant growth in racquet sales and tennis participation throughout the nation.

According to the Tennis Industry Association (TIA) Quarterly USA Wholesale Equipment Census, racquet sales in the entry-level category have seen significant growth in the third quarter of 2020, compared to the same period in 2019. This July-September time frame coincides with the period when much of the country began to reopen for business following the initial wave of COVID-19. The increase is seen in both the youth and adult demographics, with shipments of youth racquets up 40.9% and shipments of adult racquets under $50 (entry-level) seeing an increase of 43.3%. For all price points, racquet shipments are up 37.7% in that same time period.

In addition, the Physical Activity Council reported 10.08% of the U.S. population playing tennis over that span, compared to 6.75% in the third quarter of 2019—an increase of nearly 50%. With the U.S. population now over 331 million, the 3.33% jump represents roughly 11 million tennis players.

Tennis facilities throughout the country have benefitted from this increase in play, including nationwide centers like Genesis Health Clubs, ClubCorp and Cliff Drysdale Tennis.

Genesis has seen increases in tennis revenue across their 14 tennis clubs, with 2020 financials doubling 2019 numbers in Lawrence, Kansas.

“The thing we heard most is that people wanted to be able to play tennis with their friends,” said national tennis director Mike Woody, highlighting the social aspect of the sport.

Activity has increased through a combination of new players and an increase in the rate of play from returners. Genesis clubs saw more than 1,500 registrants for various adult camps across the last four months, with programming for all levels, in addition to competitive events like USTA tournaments, on offer.

Tennis industry shows strength in face of coronavirus pandemic

People are turning to tennis as the ideal social-distancing sport to remain active, healthy and social. Industry sales and participation levels prove it, with 2020 numbers surpassing 2019.

www.usta.com

How do we know the USTA didn't just fudge this as an excuse to create more "programs" to get more people to play?

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I'm curious, what makes you feel it's declining?

Pre-CV it was almost always easy to get a court [and to hold it well beyond an hour because no one was waiting].

Also, I hear anecdotally from multiple sources that tournament signup patterns have changed markedly: in the "old days", if you didn't enter very soon after entries were open, you ran a high risk of not getting in. Now, it's common to only see a few entered for a given division mere days before the deadline and multiple divisions end up getting cancelled.

This is from an America-centric perspective. Perhaps a concomitant rise in enthusiasm is occurring in other parts of the world [how can one possibly measure the impact Li Na had on Chinese [female] tennis players?].

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

How do we know the USTA didn't just fudge this as an excuse to create more "programs" to get more people to play?

Creating more supply [programs] won't necessarily generate more demand. Although I suppose it could be akin to airlines overbooking a flight because they know down to the 3rd decimal point the probability of x% passengers not showing up.

 

[PURETENNISsense]

Pre-CV it was almost always easy to get a court [and to hold it well beyond an hour because no one was waiting].

Also, I hear anecdotally from multiple sources that tournament signup patterns have changed markedly: in the "old days", if you didn't enter very soon after entries were open, you ran a high risk of not getting in. Now, it's common to only see a few entered for a given division mere days before the deadline and multiple divisions end up getting cancelled.

This is from an America-centric perspective. Perhaps a concomitant rise in enthusiasm is occurring in other parts of the world [how can one possibly measure the impact Li Na had on Chinese [female] tennis players?].

Gotcha, makes sense. I've been out of the tournament scene for a little bit so I can't say I know what's going on. Thanks for the information, that helps to frame where tennis is at the moment.

 

[socallefty]

Does anyone have any tennis participation numbers for the US in the Seventies, Eighties, Nineties, 2000s, 2010s etc. as a % of the US population? I’ve always heard that tennis was more popular in the Seventies/Eighties and then dropped off in the late Eighties before stabilizing and starting to grow again about twenty years ago. I tried to google it and couldn’t find any historical data from tennis participation in the latter decades of the last century.

 

[sureshs]

Does anyone have any tennis participation numbers for the US in the Seventies, Eighties, Nineties, 2000s, 2010s etc. as a % of the US population? I’ve always heard that tennis was more popular in the Seventies/Eighties and then dropped off in the late Eighties before stabilizing and starting to grow again about twenty years ago. I tried to google it and couldn’t find any historical data from tennis participation in the latter decades of the last century.

2006 to 2017:

Tennis: number of participants U.S. 2017 | Statista

This statistic shows the number of participants in tennis in the United States from 2006 to 2017.

www.statista.com

.

You can divide by US populations you can get from other sites

 

[Chalkdust]

Funny, I initially read the thread title as "
Scurge of beginner adult players!

Nuff said...

 

[sureshs]

Funny, I initially read the thread title as "
Scurge of beginner adult players!

Nuff said...

Read post #27

 

[Chalkdust]

Read post #27

Haha glad I wasn't the only one

 

[a10best]

it's almost the ideal social distancing sport.

 

[PURETENNISsense]

it's almost the ideal social distancing sport.

Golf?

 

[a10best]

Golf?

never got into golf because it doesn't require speed or cardio. It is more of a long distance walking sport and I waked a lot of miles when I was going to school. Maybe one day.

 

[Ronaldo]

Even WV has seen an uptick!

Charleston? Chose not to play indoors again this season. Risky Business

 

[stapletonj]

huntington, ashland KY, teays valley... ritter park has seen a HUGE upswing in people just out hitting, esp. on nicer days.

 

[Ronaldo]

huntington, ashland KY, teays valley... ritter park has seen a HUGE upswing in people just out hitting, esp. on nicer days.

Had folks awaiting after the girls' HS matches till dark. That ended in November