Southern California Named Top USTA Section
for Tennis Participation Again

Tennis is booming in the United States and Southern California is no exception! In the latest data published by third-party research firms, the USTA confirmed that tennis participation in the United States has surged to a new all-time high of 25.7 million Americans playing the sport in 2024, following five consecutive years of growth*. The jump of 1.9 million players from 2023’s total of 23.8 million participants represents a significant acceleration, with an increase of 8% in just one year. In 2019, tennis participation was just under 6% of the U.S. population. One in every 12 Americans played tennis in 2024 – the highest proportion on record. This far outpaces the five-year average ratio of one in 16 Americans. In an increasingly competitive sports and recreation environment, this expansion demonstrates tennis’ broadening appeal and strengthening position in the U.S.

The growth in tennis participation is not just in numbers; it reflects a wider trend toward more committed, younger, and diverse players. This growth extends to Southern California, one of the most active USTA sections, where participation continues to climb at an impressive rate.

SoCal Serves Up Another Win in Tennis Growth

With palm trees swaying courtside and iconic tennis destinations like the Barnes Tennis Center, Lakewood Tennis Center, and Indian Wells Tennis Garden just around the corner, it’s no surprise that Southern California is at the forefront of tennis participation. From sun-soaked courts to buzzing league matches, the region is home to approximately 2.5 million players in 2024, leading the way in tennis engagement.

As a national leader in tennis participation, Southern California is gold standard. This marks a steady 62% increase from 1.5 million in 2019 and an average annual growth percentage of 10.5%, demonstrating an upward trajectory in engagement across all age groups. With a participation rate of 11.4%, the highest among all 17 USTA sections, Southern California’s tennis culture, accessibility, and year-round playing conditions are clearly driving engagement. SoCal tennis isn’t just growing—it’s thriving! Whether you’re rallying at your neighborhood park or competing in USTA leagues, there’s never been a better time to grab a racquet.

“Southern California has always been a hotbed for tennis, and it’s exciting to see the sport continue to thrive here,” said Trevor Kronemann, USTA Southern California Executive Director. “From the courts to the community, the growth we’re seeing in participation is a testament to the passion and dedication of players at all levels. It’s an honor to be part of this incredible journey.”

Retention and New Player Engagement

Tennis is not only attracting new players but also keeping them engaged, with retention rates rising by 5% over 2023 to reach a five-year high. Additionally, 9% more players returned to the sport after at least a year off. This balanced momentum—where committed players stay active and new players continue discovering tennis—has led to 4.5 million players joining the game in 2024. Tennis also experienced its lowest player loss since 2020, signaling a positive trend of retaining players while expanding its reach. This ideal scenario cultivates committed players while broadening the sport’s appeal.

In 2024, tennis showed remarkable resilience, with returning players (those who didn’t play in the year prior, but had played before) growing to 2.3 million, up from 1.4 million in 2023. 79.4% of players from the previous year continued playing (up from 74.8% last year), while first-time participants played a significant role in the region’s continued growth, driving total participation to new heights. The balance of retaining core players and attracting newcomers is crucial for keeping tennis a leading recreational activity. This national trend of strong retention is also reflected in Southern California, where an increasing number of players are returning to the sport.

A More Diverse Player Base 

Tennis has experienced remarkable growth in participation across key demographic segments over the past year. This expansion reflects both broader cultural shifts and targeted strategic initiatives, with notable momentum among Black/African American players, young adults, and senior participants. These trends suggest tennis is strengthening its position as a  cornerstone of community engagement and healthy lifestyle choices.

With SoCal pros like Taylor Fritz, Desirae Krawczyk, Brandon Nakashima, Ena Shibahara, Marcos Giron, Tristan Boyer, Alex Michelsen, Learner Tien, and Iva Jovic inspiring the next generation, it’s no surprise that young players are hitting the courts in record numbers. Tennis is experiencing significant growth among younger players, with those under 35 driving nearly two-thirds of the expansion in 2024 (+1.2 million players nationally). Players under 25 were particularly influential, contributing to 45% of the overall national increase. This surge in youth participation signals a bright future for tennis as younger generations increasingly embrace the sport. This trend is also evident in Southern California, where the tennis community continues to diversify, with rising participation from both younger players and underrepresented groups.

Tennis is not just getting younger—it’s becoming more inclusive. Inspired by the historic achievements of stars like Coco Gauff and Frances Tiafoe, combined with expanding community initiatives and increased accessibility, Black participation in tennis surged by 26% in 2024, adding more than 662,000 new players. Since 2019, Black/African American participation has grown at an impressive average of 15.4% annually—far outpacing the 1% year-over-year population growth. Hispanic/Latino engagement in the sport has also skyrocketed, averaging an 18.4% yearly increase since 2019, compared to a 4% population growth rate. In 2024 alone, Hispanic participation rose by 15.4% nationwide, to 4.54 million players over 2023. Meanwhile, Asian/Pacific Islander participation has steadily climbed at a 10.2% annual rate since 2019—well above the 1.4% population growth. These trends highlight tennis’ expanding reach and its growing status as a sport that welcomes all communities. The expanding appeal of tennis among diverse communities, supported by accessible public courts, school programs, and community outreach efforts, highlights the sport’s role as an inclusive, accessible activity for all. This diversity-driven growth underscores tennis’ broadening reach and its promising future in both national and local communities.

Senior participation in tennis is thriving, with over 302,000 new players joining the game in 2024. This growth is fueled by Baby Boomers aging into the 65+ segment and the sport’s reputation as a social, physically engaging, and mentally beneficial activity. Overall, senior participation has risen by 17%, reinforcing tennis as a lifelong sport that keeps players active and connected.

The Impact of Competitive and Recreational Tennis

From high-level junior tournaments to thriving adult league play, Southern California provides opportunities for players of all skill levels. The increase in Core players—those who play 10 or more times a year—has strengthened the region’s overall engagement with the sport, growing to a record 13 million. With more than half of all players nationwide now falling into this category, the commitment to tennis as a long-term activity is evident in Southern California’s enthusiastic tennis community. This expansion in committed players surpassed 2023 by 11% and signals deepening engagement across the sport. The rise in frequent players has helped drive total play occasions to 575 million, a 9% increase over the previous year.

Looking Ahead

Tennis in Southern California is flourishing, and the momentum is unstoppable! With participation hitting record highs, the region continues to be a powerhouse for the sport, and it’s only getting better. Continued investment in public facilities, junior development programs, and community outreach will be vital in sustaining this momentum. As the region continues to welcome new players and retain its dedicated base, tennis in Southern California is set to thrive for years to come. In 2024, USTA Southern California shattered records with its Adult Leagues and Junior Team Tennis, reaching milestones not seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic. These achievements highlight the resilience and passion of SoCal’s tennis community, ensuring a bright future for the sport.

But that’s just the beginning. Tennis isn’t just thriving on the courts—it’s seeing a surge in demand from over two million non-players eager to pick up a racquet. This growing interest creates a golden opportunity to expand and diversify the sport, and the USTA is already on track to capitalize on it. Its  goal of reaching 35 million players nationwide by 2035 is ambitious, but with a focus on innovative programs, new play formats, and better court infrastructure, the sky’s the limit.

To support this growth and reach these goals, the USTA has committed $10 million in grants to tennis courts and facilities across the country in 2025. These funds are helping refurbish courts and extend playable hours, particularly in underserved communities. Since 2005, the USTA’s Tennis Venue Services (TVS) program has awarded more than $19 million in grants, including $1.2 million in 2024 that impacted more than 500 courts in more than 60 communities in 2024 alone.

“We are committed to supporting the enhancement and construction of tennis facilities in communities across the country,” said Brian Vahaly, chairman of the board president of the USTA. “In partnership with our sections, investing in the development of tennis facilities nationwide helps support the USTA’s mission of growing tennis to inspire healthier people and communities.”

Additionally, in 2024 the USTA Foundation, the charitable arm of the USTA, funded nearly $1 million in court refurbishment projects, impacting approximately 100 courts utilized by the Foundation’s National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network, which deliver tennis and education programming to underserved communities.

The future of tennis is about more than just numbers; it’s about inclusivity and innovation. By listening to participation trends and taking action, the USTA, its partners, and the 17 USTA sections are creating a vibrant, diverse, and connected tennis community. And with continued investments in programs, coaching, and infrastructure, the sport is set to inspire generations to come.

“As we continue to grow tennis across the country, it’s clear that the sport is becoming more reflective of America’s diverse communities than ever before,” said Lew Sherr, USTA CEO. “With our section partners, our mission remains to inspire healthier people and communities by getting more people on the court—and these numbers validate the work we do.”

Safety is also a top priority. The USTA’s Safe Play program now includes more than 27,000 Safe Play-compliant coaches who undergo background screenings and are educated on how to prevent misconduct. This program ensures that players and parents can trust their coaches to provide a safe and supportive environment. The USTA offers a searchable database of these coaches for players and parents to access nationwide — including both professional coaches and community-level instructors who provide on-court instruction and facilitation. With an additional 23,000 individuals completing Safe Play education, the USTA is shining a light on the importance of protecting athletes and creating a positive experience for everyone involved in tennis.

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* Tennis participation in the United States is measured through two complementary research studies:

– The Physical Activity Council (PAC) Study on Sports and Physical Activity, which has tracked tennis participation since 2007, draws from a nationally representative panel of over 1 million Americans and features responses from 18,000 people ages 6 and older. The study tracks participation across 122 separate sports, fitness and recreational activities, with strict quotas for gender, age, income, region, and ethnicity to ensure a balanced sample and is administered by Sports Marketing Surveys USA.

– The PLAY Study (formerly known as the Participation and Engagement Study), which has provided supplemental data through a partnership between the USTA and the National Golf Foundation (NGF) since 2021 surveys 18,000 individuals ages 6 and older annually.