Why Tennis and the US Open
Inspire Play All Year Long

Every summer, tennis becomes the hottest ticket in New York with the highly anticipated US Open taking center stage. Here, fans, celebrities, influencers, and top athletes flock to witness three weeks of world-class action. In 2024, the final Grand Slam of the year set a record with 1,048,669 fans attending over three weeks, marking the first time the tournament surpassed one million. Main Draw attendance hit 832,640, with every session at Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong Stadiums selling out.

Spectators endured the sweltering heat to see stars like Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, Simone Biles, Lewis Hamilton, Matthew McConaughey, Aaron Judge, Katie Ledecky, and Ellen Pompeo in the stands. Even Serena Williams, attending as a spectator for the first time after 21 appearances, turned heads in a denim ensemble paying tribute to her iconic 2004 kit featuring a denim pleated skirt.

Beyond the spectacle, the US Open teaches players of all ages lessons that extend far beyond technique. Every point demonstrates focus, strategy, resilience, and sportsmanship, inspiring players around the world to take chances and elevate their own game.

Tennis Accessibility for Everyone, Year-Round

While the US Open dazzles at the end of summer each year, in Southern California, tennis is always in season. With its endless sunshine, the game thrives year round—shaped by legends who learned the sport on asphalt and carried forward by new generations picking up a tennis racquet before they can even drive. Tennis in Southern California is not just a cultural moment; it is part of everyday life. The best part is you do not need a ticket to Arthur Ashe Stadium to join in. All it takes is a racquet, a ball, and a little sunshine. Whether you are inspired by the pros under the New York lights or by the thrill of your first rally, there has never been a better time to step on court.

The US Open first took shape in 1881 on manicured grass courts in Newport, Rhode Island, a Gilded Age gathering for America’s elite. Since then, tennis has grown far beyond those exclusive beginnings. While it remains a beloved pastime at private clubs, the sport is more accessible than ever across public spaces, especially in Southern California, where neighborhood courts, school playgrounds, public clubs, and community centers allow anyone to chase the dream of hitting a winner like the pros at Flushing Meadows.

In SoCal, the game thrives in all its forms. Billie Jean King learned to play on Long Beach’s public courts before challenging inequality worldwide. Venus and Serena Williams rose from the cracked courts of Compton to redefine greatness. Today, junior tennis players across Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, the Central Coast, and the Inland Empire are still lacing up on city-run courts, often weaving around strips of blue pickleball tape along the baselines, learning the fundamentals that could one day take them to the same stadiums they watch during the US Open.

From Hermosa Beach to Rancho Mirage, from Montecito to Calexico, tennis is not tucked away behind gates. It is woven into the community, alive with the echoes of serves and rallies, and open to anyone ready to pick up a racquet and imagine themselves on center court.

The Healthiest Sport on Earth

It’s no wonder so many Southern California residents embrace tennis as a lifetime sport. Tennis is not just fun; it is a full-body, full-brain workout that mirrors the athleticism of ATP and WTA pros. Studies confirm what players here already know: tennis is unmatched in its benefits. A study by the Mayo Clinic found that tennis players who play regularly live nearly a decade longer than their peers, outlasting swimmers, cyclists, and runners. That is why the USTA calls tennis the world’s healthiest sport.

The physical benefits are clear. Chasing a tennis ball around a court and sustaining long rallies builds strength, agility, endurance, and bone density. Watching professionals at the US Open can inspire players to practice precision, endurance, and tactical thinking in their own games. In Southern California, that longevity plays out daily. You’ll find retirees rally at Griffith Park, kids sprint at Balboa Tennis Center, and college athletes grind through three-hour practices at UCLA, USC, and Pepperdine. Tennis strengthens bones, boosts heart health, sharpens reflexes, and demands cognitive focus.

Movement, Mind, and Memory

Every shot demands split-second decisions: reading slice, adjusting footwork, and anticipating an opponent’s next move. It’s no coincidence that Roger Federer is often compared to a dancer; his footwork resembles choreography and elegant precision. Studies show tennis improves coordination, reaction time, and cognitive performance, while helping protect against decline in later years. Watching professionals at the US Open demonstrates how focus, patience, and strategic thinking translate into successful play and inspires players to test these skills on local courts.

In Southern California, that means everyone from toddlers taking their first swing to adults perfecting volleys well into their 80s. Tennis truly offers a lifetime of mental rewards.

Safe, Social, and Satisfying

Like any sport, the occasional sprain or sore shoulder can happen, but it is arguably far safer than football, soccer, or basketball. In fact, an Aspen Institute study ranked it the safest high school sport, with the lowest rates of serious injuries and concussions. The sport’s physical demands build balance, agility, and reflexes—skills that protect players well beyond the court.

Tennis is also endlessly rewarding. The crisp pop of a clean forehand, the thrill of a perfectly timed volley, or the satisfaction of a powerful serve executed with precision make every point exciting. The game challenges both body and mind, offering new techniques to learn, angles to explore, and footwork to refine at every level. 

Why Tennis Wins in Straight Sets

Tennis is hard to beat as a sport. It’s physically demanding, mentally stimulating, socially engaging, and emotionally rewarding. You can start as a child, return after decades, or continue playing well into retirement. Watching the US Open reminds us why the sport is worth pursuing, showing focus, resilience, and the rewards of practice. In Southern California, opportunities to play are everywhere—from lessons under palm trees to rallies at Indian Wells—celebrity sightings optional.

Tennis is more than a sport: it’s tradition, community, and a lifelong passion. It connects players, rewards persistence, and inspires joy. So grab a racquet, step on a court, and let the US Open inspire your next rally under the California sun.