Women’s tennis participation in Europe is below the global average

The number of women playing tennis in European countries seems to be lower than in some other regions of the world, which is a cause for concern.

According to a report by the International Tennis Federation, women’s participation in tennis remains a global challenge. In particular, the percentage of women involved in the sport is significantly lower than that of men. Moreover, the representation of female players is generally far below the proportion of women in the overall population across all regions worldwide.

According to data from 174 national tennis associations, women make up 40.3% of the global tennis-playing population. While this figure may seem substantial, it still falls short of reflecting the 49.6% of the world population that is female. The gender gap in tennis is clear, but regional trends offer a more nuanced picture.

North America stands out as a leader, with women accounting for 43.5% of tennis players — setting a high bar for inclusivity. Oceania is close behind at 43.1%, while South America also exceeds the global average with 40.9%. These regions are making strides in narrowing the gap, showing that progress is possible.

Europe, on the other hand, presents a paradox. Despite having the highest percentage of women in its general population — 51.2% — the representation of women in tennis lags at just 40%. This is not only surprising but also below the global average, highlighting a disconnect between overall gender parity and participation in sports.

The most challenging numbers, however, come from Central America and the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia, where women account for just 37.6%, 34%, and 31.7% of tennis players, respectively. These figures underscore the need for greater efforts to foster inclusivity in regions where barriers remain particularly steep.

Explore more news and articles about the development of tennis in the Tennis in Europe section.