Is Tennis Still Popular in 2025? Trends, Viewership & Participation

When people wonder tennis popularity today, they’re really asking whether the sport still grabs headlines, fills courts, and pulls in fans around the world. The short answer? Yes, but the story is layered. From booming participation in schools to shifting TV numbers, tennis is evolving under new pressures and fresh opportunities.

Quick Takeaways

• Global participation grew 7% from 2020 to 2025, driven by youth programs in Asia and Europe.
• Grand Slam TV audiences averaged 24million viewers per tournament in 2025, while streaming added another 12million.
• Social media engagement hit record highs, with TikTok clips of rallies reaching 1.1billion views monthly.
• North America remains the biggest revenue market, but Asia’s player base grew fastest (15% YoY).
• Challenges include rising ticket prices and competition from fast‑growing esports.

Below we’ll break down the numbers, the regions, and the forces shaping the sport’s current standing.

Global Participation Numbers

According to the International Tennis Federation (ITF), more than 87million people played tennis at least once in 2025, up from 81million in 2020. The growth isn’t uniform - youth participation in schools and community centers surged, especially in China, India, and Brazil.

Two key programs illustrate why:

• ATP the Association of Tennis Professionals, the governing body for men's professional tennis launched its Junior Outreach Initiative in 2022, funding 5,000 new courts across Southeast Asia.
• WTA the Women’s Tennis Association, representing the top women players worldwide partnered with local NGOs in South America to provide equipment to under‑privileged girls.

The table below compares participation in three major regions over the last five years.

Television and Streaming Viewership

Grand Slam tournaments remain the marquee events, and they still draw massive audiences. In 2025, the Wimbledon the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament, held in London every July attracted an average live TV audience of 23.4million in the U.K. and 31.2million globally.

The US Open the hard‑court major held in New York, known for its night‑time drama topped 28million TV viewers and added 11million streaming viewers via platforms like ESPN+, Amazon Prime Video, and the new tennis‑focused service Tennis+.

Streaming is a game‑changer. A 2025 report from Nielsen shows that digital viewership across all four Grand Slams rose 22% from 2022, thanks largely to mobile-friendly highlight reels and on‑demand replays.

Social Media Engagement

Short‑form video is where the sport’s future fans are hanging out. TikTok clips of epic rallies from Australian Open the first Grand Slam of the calendar year, played in Melbourne regularly exceed 500million views within 48hours of posting. Instagram Reels from top players like Rafael Nadal Spanish tennis legend known for his clay‑court dominance pull in 8‑10million likes per post.

YouTube’s "Best of 2025" tennis compilations have collectively amassed over 3billion views, indicating a strong appetite for on‑demand content beyond live matches.

Regional Hotspots and Emerging Markets

While the U.S. and Western Europe still generate the highest revenue, Asia‑Pacific is the fastest‑growing market. China’s national tennis association reported a 19% YoY rise in registered players, largely from middle‑class families seeking a social sport for their children.

India’s middle class is also embracing tennis, with more than 2million new participants joining urban clubs since 2021. The trend is boosted by Indian players breaking into the top50 of the ATP rankings, providing local role models.

In contrast, participation in Australia dipped 3% in 2025, a side effect of higher court maintenance costs and a shift of youth interest toward beach volleyball and surf lifesaving.

Factors Driving Popularity

Three main forces keep tennis in the public eye:

1. Star Power. Players like Serena Williams American legend with 23 Grand Slam singles titles (though retired, her brand remains influential) and newcomers such as Iga Świątek generate buzz that translates into ticket sales and online streams.
2. Technology. Hawk‑Eye line‑calling, VR training apps, and AI‑driven match analysis attract tech‑savvy fans and improve the viewing experience.
3. Accessibility. Portable pop‑up courts, community programs, and affordable racquet kits lower the entry barrier, especially in developing regions.

Challenges and Areas of Decline

Despite the optimism, tennis faces headwinds:

• Ticket Prices. Grand Slam tickets have risen an average of 12% per year, prompting some fans to switch to digital‑only viewing.
• Competing Entertainment. Esports viewership surpassed 250million daily in 2025, pulling younger audiences away from traditional sports.
• Scheduling Conflicts. Long match durations conflict with modern, on‑the‑go lifestyles, leading broadcasters to experiment with “Fast‑4” formats that not all purists like.

Addressing these issues will be critical for maintaining growth, especially in markets where tennis is still a niche sport.

What the Numbers Mean for the Future

If the upward trend in participation continues, we can expect a deeper talent pool and more competitive tournaments. However, sustained viewership growth will likely hinge on how well the sport adapts its broadcast model, pricing, and digital content strategy.

In short, tennis is popular today, but its popularity is no longer guaranteed by tradition alone. It must continuously reinvent itself to stay relevant.