Most tennis enthusiasts will tell you that people call this “The Sport of a Lifetime.” There’s a good reason for that. Unlike many other sports you can only play while you’re young, tennis is one you can play during your entire life. Perhaps that’s why it’s such a popular pro sport. Just how popular is pro tennis? Statistics suggest that 87 million people around the world play this sport. In the United States alone, search volumes for the word “tennis” on search engines have more than doubled in the past ten years. 

Pro tennis viewership is on the rise, too. Tennis tournaments, especially the Grand Slam events (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open), attract millions of viewers from around the world. A global audience views these tournaments online and through local television channels, and the matches featuring top players garner substantial television ratings. That fact has led to another big explosion – those attending pro tournaments in person. Tennis tournaments, both major and minor, draw large crowds of spectators. The Grand Slam events, in particular, have high attendance figures, with thousands of fans flocking to the stadiums to witness the matches live.

It helps that fans love and interact with players on a regular basis. Tennis players, especially the top-ranked ones, enjoy significant popularity and have a global fan base. Icons like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, and Novak Djokovic have transcended the sport and gained widespread recognition. Professional tennis has a solid online presence, with fans engaging in discussions, sharing updates, and watching matches through various digital platforms. Tennis players have significant followings on social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, which further amplifies the sport’s popularity.

Between the numbers of people watching and those interacting online, another significant marker of the sport’s popularity has emerged – financial support. The popularity of professional tennis is evident in the financial aspect of the sport. Tennis players often secure lucrative endorsement deals and sponsorships, indicating the sport’s appeal to businesses and advertisers.