How many tennis clubs are in the world? The US still on top — see the list by country
The International Tennis Federation has revealed the number of tennis clubs worldwide today. Its report compiles data from 199 tennis nations. Racket One analyzed the findings and highlighted the most intriguing insights.
Tennis clubs can be seen as the neurons of the vast global network that makes up today’s tennis industry. They bring together players of all levels, forming communities and sustaining a strong interest in the sport. This is why the number of tennis clubs serves as an indirect indicator of tennis development across various countries and regions. So, let’s take a look at the current global landscape.
How many tennis clubs are there in the world?
According to the ITF, there are a total of 130 742 tennis clubs worldwide. The majority are located in North America, with 54 630 clubs, accounting for 41.8% of the total. Europe follows with 41 687 clubs, or 31.9%. In Asia, despite its large population, tennis players are far less likely to join clubs, with only 21,928 clubs, making up 16.8% of the global total.
In South America and Africa, the number of tennis clubs is even lower, with 6 304 clubs (4.8%) and 1 884 clubs (1.4%) respectively, highlighting significant potential for tennis development in these regions. The same applies to the Caribbean, as well as Australia and Oceania, where, despite favorable climates, the number of clubs remains relatively low.
Which country has the most tennis clubs?
The United States is home to 53 882 tennis clubs, accounting for approximately 41.2% of all clubs worldwide — the highest figure among all countries. This dominance can be attributed to the country’s well-developed tennis infrastructure, the diverse climates across many states that enable year-round play, and a strong tradition of forming clubs where people come together to share common interests or highlight their social status.
Germany ranks second in the world for the number of tennis clubs, with 8 731 clubs, accounting for 6.7% of the global total. However, the country, which remains a leader in Europe, is facing a notable crisis: over the past two decades, the number of tennis clubs has declined sharply, raising concerns.
Additionally, many German tennis clubs are affiliated with the state, which often limits their commercial development, leaving them at a lower level compared to the United States.
Interestingly, India ranks third in terms of the number of tennis clubs. As tennis gains popularity with the rise in the country’s prosperity, the numbers are growing. However, given India’s massive population, the number of clubs remains relatively small — just 8 000, or 6.1% of the global total — leaving an impressive potential for future growth.
A surprising number of China’s tennis clubs
The number of tennis clubs in China remains surprisingly low — only 800, accounting for just 0.6% of the global total. Why so few?
The issue is certainly not a lack of infrastructure, as the country boasts tens of thousands of tennis courts. Instead, this paradox can likely be explained by China’s centralized tennis system, which focuses on academies and training centers rather than developing widespread club structures.
Number of tennis clubs by country
A comprehensive list of countries and their tennis club counts reveals several interesting trends. Beyond the dominance of the United States, there is a relatively even distribution of clubs across European countries and a growing potential in Asian nations.
- USA – 53 882 (41.2%)
- Germany – 8 731 (6.7%)
- India – 8 000 (6.1%)
- France – 7 083 (5.4%)
- Japan – 6 590 (5.0%)
- Italy – 5 700 (4.4%)
- Brazil – 4 494 (3.4%)
- Great Britain – 4 250 (3.3%)
- Austria – 3 150 (2.4%)
- Australia – 2 829 (2.2%)
- Vietnam – 2 492 (1.9%)
- South Korea – 1 890 (1.4%)
- Netherlands – 1 638 (1.3%)
- Czechia – 1 251 (1.0%)
- Poland – 1 250 (1.0%)
- Spain – 1 155 (0.9%)
- Colombia – 1 070 (0.8%)
- Switzerland – 949 (0.7%)
- China – 800 (0.6%)
- Rest of the world – 13 538 (10.4%)
Are clubs facing a growing problem?
In many of the listed countries, according to ITF data, the number of tennis clubs has increased from 115,584 in 2021 to 130,742, reflecting a growth of 13%. However, this growth masks a slowdown — or even a decline — in the number of clubs across many developed nations. This trend is evident not only in Germany but also in countries like France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and even the United States, where the number of clubs has remained stagnant.
This situation may be attributed to the rise of more accessible sports, such as padel or pickleball, as well as the gradual aging of the population that was more actively engaged in tennis compared to the current younger generation. Addressing these challenges will be crucial to sustaining the growth and popularity of tennis in the years to come.
While this may not indicate a global crisis in the club movement, it highlights a significant challenge facing tennis communities — one that must be addressed soon to ensure the continued growth of this wonderful sport.
To learn more about the global tennis club movement, visit our Clubs & Communities section.
Cover illustration: Pixabay
