GITNUX REPORT 2024

Global Tennis Popularity Soars: Over 1 Billion Fans Worldwide

Discover the global love affair with tennis - from record viewership to rising participation rates.

Author: Jannik Lindner

First published: 7/17/2024

Statistic 1

The ATP Tour website had 94 million visits in 2022

Statistic 2

The WTA Tour's social media following grew by 12% in 2022

Statistic 3

The ATP Tour's Instagram following grew by 31% in 2022

Statistic 4

The WTA Tour's YouTube channel had 149 million views in 2022

Statistic 5

The ATP Tour's Twitter following grew by 14% in 2022

Statistic 6

The WTA Tour's Facebook following grew by 8% in 2022

Statistic 7

The ATP Tour's Facebook page had 320 million video views in 2022

Statistic 8

The WTA Tour's TikTok following grew by 71% in 2022

Statistic 9

The ATP Tour's YouTube channel had 440 million views in 2022

Statistic 10

The WTA Tour's Twitter following grew by 9% in 2022

Statistic 11

The ATP Tour's TikTok following grew by 74% in 2022

Statistic 12

The WTA Tour's Instagram following grew by 15% in 2022

Statistic 13

The ATP Tour's website had 94 million visits in 2022, a 31% increase from 2021

Statistic 14

The WTA Tour's YouTube channel had 149 million views in 2022, a 28% increase from 2021

Statistic 15

The ATP Tour's social media following grew by 36% across all platforms in 2022

Statistic 16

The WTA Tour's digital platforms had over 1 billion impressions in 2022

Statistic 17

Tennis is the 4th most popular sport globally

Statistic 18

Over 1 billion people follow tennis worldwide

Statistic 19

Tennis is played in more than 200 countries

Statistic 20

Tennis is the 2nd most popular individual sport globally

Statistic 21

Tennis participation in the US increased by 22% in 2020

Statistic 22

There are approximately 87 million tennis players worldwide

Statistic 23

Tennis participation in the UK increased by 2% in 2022

Statistic 24

Tennis participation in Canada increased by 8% in 2021

Statistic 25

Tennis participation in France increased by 3% in 2022

Statistic 26

Tennis participation in Germany increased by 1.5% in 2022

Statistic 27

Tennis participation in Italy increased by 2.5% in 2022

Statistic 28

Tennis participation in China increased by 5% in 2021

Statistic 29

Tennis participation in Sweden increased by 1% in 2022

Statistic 30

Tennis participation in the Netherlands increased by 2% in 2022

Statistic 31

Tennis participation in Belgium increased by 1.5% in 2022

Statistic 32

Tennis participation in Austria increased by 1% in 2022

Statistic 33

Tennis participation in Poland increased by 3% in 2022

Statistic 34

Tennis participation in the Czech Republic increased by 2% in 2022

Statistic 35

Tennis participation in Denmark increased by 1% in 2022

Statistic 36

Tennis is the 7th most popular sport in the US

Statistic 37

Tennis is the 3rd most popular sport in Australia

Statistic 38

Tennis is the 6th most popular sport in India

Statistic 39

Tennis is the 5th most popular sport in Spain

Statistic 40

Tennis is the 8th most popular sport in Japan

Statistic 41

Tennis is the 4th most popular sport in Russia

Statistic 42

Tennis is the 10th most popular sport in Brazil

Statistic 43

Tennis is the 7th most popular sport in Argentina

Statistic 44

Tennis is the 9th most popular sport in South Africa

Statistic 45

Tennis is the 6th most popular sport in Switzerland

Statistic 46

Tennis is the 5th most popular sport in Croatia

Statistic 47

Tennis is the 8th most popular sport in Greece

Statistic 48

Tennis is the 7th most popular sport in New Zealand

Statistic 49

The 2022 US Open had a total attendance of 776,120

Statistic 50

The 2022 Wimbledon Championships had 515,164 attendees

Statistic 51

The 2022 French Open attracted 613,500 spectators

Statistic 52

The 2022 US Open had 776,120 attendees, setting an all-time record

Statistic 53

The 2022 French Open had 613,500 spectators, a record for the tournament

Statistic 54

The 2022 Australian Open had a total attendance of 346,468

Statistic 55

The 2022 Wimbledon men's final peaked at 7.5 million viewers in the UK

Statistic 56

The 2022 Australian Open reached a global audience of 900 million

Statistic 57

The 2022 US Open final had 2.7 million viewers on ESPN

Statistic 58

The 2022 French Open men's final had a peak audience of 5.2 million in France

Statistic 59

The 2022 Australian Open men's final had 4.26 million viewers in Australia

Statistic 60

The 2022 US Open women's final had 2.7 million viewers on ESPN

Statistic 61

The 2022 Wimbledon women's final had 3.1 million viewers in the UK

Statistic 62

The 2022 French Open women's final had 2.3 million viewers in France

Statistic 63

The 2022 Australian Open women's final had 3.1 million viewers in Australia

Statistic 64

The 2022 Wimbledon Championships had 15.5 million streaming views on BBC iPlayer

Statistic 65

The 2022 US Open final was watched by 2.7 million viewers on ESPN, up 72% from 2021

Statistic 66

The 2022 Wimbledon men's final had a peak audience of 7.5 million viewers in the UK

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Summary

  • Tennis is the 4th most popular sport globally
  • Over 1 billion people follow tennis worldwide
  • Tennis is played in more than 200 countries
  • The 2022 Wimbledon men's final peaked at 7.5 million viewers in the UK
  • The 2022 US Open had a total attendance of 776,120
  • The 2022 Australian Open reached a global audience of 900 million
  • The ATP Tour website had 94 million visits in 2022
  • The WTA Tour's social media following grew by 12% in 2022
  • Tennis participation in the US increased by 22% in 2020
  • There are approximately 87 million tennis players worldwide
  • The 2022 Wimbledon Championships had 515,164 attendees
  • The 2022 French Open attracted 613,500 spectators
  • Tennis is the 7th most popular sport in the US
  • The ATP Tour's Instagram following grew by 31% in 2022
  • Tennis is the 2nd most popular individual sport globally

Striking a backhand of popularity, tennis serves its way into the hearts of over 1 billion fans globally. From the red clay of Roland Garros to the grass courts of Wimbledon, this sport transcends borders, capturing the attention of audiences in more than 200 countries. With statistics like the 2022 US Open boasting a total attendance of 776,120 and the Australian Open reaching a staggering global audience of 900 million, its clear that tennis is not just a game but a global phenomenon with a smashing future ahead.

Digital Engagement

  • The ATP Tour website had 94 million visits in 2022
  • The WTA Tour's social media following grew by 12% in 2022
  • The ATP Tour's Instagram following grew by 31% in 2022
  • The WTA Tour's YouTube channel had 149 million views in 2022
  • The ATP Tour's Twitter following grew by 14% in 2022
  • The WTA Tour's Facebook following grew by 8% in 2022
  • The ATP Tour's Facebook page had 320 million video views in 2022
  • The WTA Tour's TikTok following grew by 71% in 2022
  • The ATP Tour's YouTube channel had 440 million views in 2022
  • The WTA Tour's Twitter following grew by 9% in 2022
  • The ATP Tour's TikTok following grew by 74% in 2022
  • The WTA Tour's Instagram following grew by 15% in 2022
  • The ATP Tour's website had 94 million visits in 2022, a 31% increase from 2021
  • The WTA Tour's YouTube channel had 149 million views in 2022, a 28% increase from 2021
  • The ATP Tour's social media following grew by 36% across all platforms in 2022
  • The WTA Tour's digital platforms had over 1 billion impressions in 2022

Interpretation

In a world seemingly obsessed with likes, views, and follows, the tennis world is serving up quite the digital ace. With numbers skyrocketing like a well-placed lob, the ATP and WTA Tours are proving that their appeal is not just on the court but also in the palm of your hand. From Facebook volleys to TikTok smashes, these organizations are hitting all the right notes, gaining traction faster than a Djokovic forehand. As the digital game continues to evolve, one thing is clear: tennis is acing its way into the hearts and screens of fans around the globe.

Global Popularity

  • Tennis is the 4th most popular sport globally
  • Over 1 billion people follow tennis worldwide
  • Tennis is played in more than 200 countries
  • Tennis is the 2nd most popular individual sport globally

Interpretation

With over 1 billion avid followers worldwide and a presence in more than 200 countries, it's safe to say that tennis is serving up some serious competition to its sporting counterparts. As the 4th most popular sport globally and the 2nd most beloved individual sport, tennis proves that its appeal is not just a passing fad. So, grab your racket and start practicing, because in this game of love, anyone can be a champion.

Participation Rates

  • Tennis participation in the US increased by 22% in 2020
  • There are approximately 87 million tennis players worldwide
  • Tennis participation in the UK increased by 2% in 2022
  • Tennis participation in Canada increased by 8% in 2021
  • Tennis participation in France increased by 3% in 2022
  • Tennis participation in Germany increased by 1.5% in 2022
  • Tennis participation in Italy increased by 2.5% in 2022
  • Tennis participation in China increased by 5% in 2021
  • Tennis participation in Sweden increased by 1% in 2022
  • Tennis participation in the Netherlands increased by 2% in 2022
  • Tennis participation in Belgium increased by 1.5% in 2022
  • Tennis participation in Austria increased by 1% in 2022
  • Tennis participation in Poland increased by 3% in 2022
  • Tennis participation in the Czech Republic increased by 2% in 2022
  • Tennis participation in Denmark increased by 1% in 2022

Interpretation

As the world collectively picked up their rackets in 2022, it seems tennis was more than just a passing fad during the COVID-19 lockdowns. With participation rates rising from the United States to China and everywhere in between, it's clear that swinging for the fences has become a global pastime. Perhaps it's the perfect blend of athleticism and finesse, or maybe it's just the thrill of chasing a fuzzy yellow ball around a court. Whatever the reason, one thing is for sure: tennis isn't just a sport, it's a smashing success story that's acing its way into the hearts of millions worldwide.

Regional Popularity

  • Tennis is the 7th most popular sport in the US
  • Tennis is the 3rd most popular sport in Australia
  • Tennis is the 6th most popular sport in India
  • Tennis is the 5th most popular sport in Spain
  • Tennis is the 8th most popular sport in Japan
  • Tennis is the 4th most popular sport in Russia
  • Tennis is the 10th most popular sport in Brazil
  • Tennis is the 7th most popular sport in Argentina
  • Tennis is the 9th most popular sport in South Africa
  • Tennis is the 6th most popular sport in Switzerland
  • Tennis is the 5th most popular sport in Croatia
  • Tennis is the 8th most popular sport in Greece
  • Tennis is the 7th most popular sport in New Zealand

Interpretation

Tennis seems to have a knack for landing comfortably in the middle of the popularity rankings across various countries, making it the sport equivalent of Goldilocks—never too hot, never too cold, but just right. With its widespread appeal evident in multiple corners of the globe, tennis continues to serve up a winning formula that captures the hearts and minds of fans from all walks of life. So, whether you're swinging your racket in the US or volleying in Australia, remember that in the world of sports, tennis is the perfect balance between intensity and finesse, poised to maintain its steady grip on the global sporting landscape.

Tournament Attendance

  • The 2022 US Open had a total attendance of 776,120
  • The 2022 Wimbledon Championships had 515,164 attendees
  • The 2022 French Open attracted 613,500 spectators
  • The 2022 US Open had 776,120 attendees, setting an all-time record
  • The 2022 French Open had 613,500 spectators, a record for the tournament
  • The 2022 Australian Open had a total attendance of 346,468

Interpretation

In the world of tennis, attendance numbers can sometimes resemble a gripping match point, with each Grand Slam vying for the title of fan favorite. The 2022 US Open served up an ace by smashing attendance records with 776,120 attendees, proving once again that tennis in the Big Apple is a grand slam success. Meanwhile, Wimbledon may have the grass, charm, and strawberries, but it was the French Open that stole the show with 613,500 spectators, a record-setting performance on the clay courts. As for the Australian Open, while its attendance numbers may not have reached the heights of its counterparts, it's clear that in the game of tennis, every Slam has its own unique appeal that keeps fans coming back for more.

Tournament Viewership

  • The 2022 Wimbledon men's final peaked at 7.5 million viewers in the UK
  • The 2022 Australian Open reached a global audience of 900 million
  • The 2022 US Open final had 2.7 million viewers on ESPN
  • The 2022 French Open men's final had a peak audience of 5.2 million in France
  • The 2022 Australian Open men's final had 4.26 million viewers in Australia
  • The 2022 US Open women's final had 2.7 million viewers on ESPN
  • The 2022 Wimbledon women's final had 3.1 million viewers in the UK
  • The 2022 French Open women's final had 2.3 million viewers in France
  • The 2022 Australian Open women's final had 3.1 million viewers in Australia
  • The 2022 Wimbledon Championships had 15.5 million streaming views on BBC iPlayer
  • The 2022 US Open final was watched by 2.7 million viewers on ESPN, up 72% from 2021
  • The 2022 Wimbledon men's final had a peak audience of 7.5 million viewers in the UK

Interpretation

With tennis captivating audiences around the globe, it seems the sport's popularity is as fierce as a Serena Williams serve. From the 900 million worldwide viewers tuning in to the Australian Open to the 15.5 million streaming views on BBC iPlayer for Wimbledon, tennis continues to prove it's not just a game – it's a cultural phenomenon. As fans across different continents rally behind their favorite players, these viewership numbers serve as a testament to the enduring appeal and excitement that only tennis can provide. So, grab your strawberries and cream, because the thrill of a Grand Slam final is a match point you won't want to miss.

References