In 2023 North America held a significant tennis racquet market share. The US and Canada are the most prominent sports nations, with various sports facilities hosting major sporting events in these countries. Increased awareness about a healthy lifestyle associated with playing tennis is expected to boost the growth of the tennis racquet market during the forecast period. Growing fitness consciousness among all age groups has increased the participation rate of people in sports, which benefits not only the nation’s health but also the economy. Additionally, the increased participation of the population in tennis has also been supported due to the increased fondness of tennis as a recreational sport among the youth. According to the United States Tennis Association (USTA), tennis participation in the US grew by 1 million players in 2022, with over 23.6 million people playing the sport for the third consecutive year, and sports participation has increased. In Canada, tennis participation also increased by 1 million players in 2022, according to a report by the Physical Activity Council (PAC) released on March 14, 2023.
Further, the rising tennis associations’ support across the region has encouraged the players to adopt the tennis racquet. For instance, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Foundation has contributed over US$ 7 million in support services and allocated to National Junior Tennis League (NJTL), which support under-resourced youth through free or low-cost tennis and education programs. Additionally, it awarded over US$ 435,000 in scholarships for 46 student leaders in 2022. Further, the massive support by the associations tends to result in the increased popularity of tennis among the populace, which is expected to contribute to the growing tennis racquet market size in the region.
Preference for Tennis as Recreational Sport Drives Tennis Racquet Market Growth
Growing awareness regarding the significance of sports in sustaining fitness and health has increased the participation rate in tennis worldwide. Furthermore, tennis has gained significant popularity in matured economies including Germany, France, and the US. It exhibits certain advantages such as increasing aerobic activities, lowering resting heart rate and blood pressure, improving metabolic function, and increasing bone density. In addition, cardio tennis has gained remarkable popularity among all age groups. It is a group activity that includes a high-energy workout, including warm-up and cardio workouts to burn calories in a healthy way. Cardio tennis follows the positive trends in group exercise and fitness. Thus, the preference for tennis as recreational sport is contributing to the growing tennis racquet market size. Additionally, the tennis racquet market trends include new product innovations.
Tennis Racquet Market: Segmental Overview
The global tennis racquet market is segmented on the basis of end user, material, and distribution channel. Based on end user, the market is segmented into adults (men and women) and kids. The adults segment accounted for a larger tennis racquet market share. The demand for adult tennis racquets has increased in recent years owing to the increasing initiatives by the governing bodies and the provision of cutting-edge technologies such as augmented reality (AR). On May 12, 2023, the governing body of tennis in Great Britain, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), introduced training programs, online booking systems, digital portals, and technologies such as augmented reality (AR). It drove engagement and presented a different dimension of the sport to a younger generation. Thus, such initiatives by the government and technology provision have made tennis more relevant, welcoming, accessible, and enjoyable, which will eventually drive the demand for tennis racquets among the adults segment. Further, the awareness about the importance of tennis in maintaining health and fitness and the substantial popularity gained by tennis tends to increase the participation of adults. Tennis aerobic capacities, lowers resting heart rate, blood pressure, and body fats, improves metabolic function, muscle tone, strength, and flexibility, and increases bone density. According to the Physical Activity Council (PAC), over 22.6 million people in the US raised a racket in 2021, a 4.5% increase from 2020. Also, the Tennis Industry Association (TIA) revealed a positive surge in racket sales, with 22.7% more rackets sold in 2021 compared to 2020.
Based on material the market is segmented into graphite, titanium, carbon fiber, and others. Graphite-based tennis racquets have become the gold standard for players of all levels due to their exceptional performance characteristics. These racquets are crafted using high-quality graphite fibers, renowned for their lightweight yet durable properties. Graphite’s inherent stiffness allows manufacturers to design racquets with larger sweet spots, enhancing power and control on every shot. The material’s responsiveness ensures that players can generate ample racquet head speed, enabling precise placement and spin manipulation. Additionally, graphite’s ability to dampen vibrations reduces the risk of arm fatigue and injury, allowing players to maintain peak performance throughout long matches. The most significant advantage of graphite-based racquets is their versatility. Manufacturers can manipulate the composition and layup of graphite fibers to tailor a racquet’s characteristics to suit different playing styles and preferences. Whether a player prefers a lightweight and maneuverable frame for aggressive baseline play or a heavier, more stable racquet for net play and precision shots, graphite-based racquets offer a wide range of options to accommodate diverse playing styles. Furthermore, the durability of graphite ensures that these racquets can withstand the demands of competitive play and regular use without compromising performance.삵By distribution channel, the global tennis racquet market is segmented into supermarkets and hypermarkets, specialty stores, online retail, and others. Supermarkets and hypermarkets have focused on providing various categories of products, such as groceries, clothes, electronics, and sporting goods, to entice customers and allow them to choose from several brands before purchasing. Consumer buying behaviors also signify that consumer prefer supermarkets and hypermarkets due to hectic schedules and the fast-moving modern lifestyle, as they can find a maximum variety of products under one roof. Supermarkets and hypermarkets offer a wide assortment of products at discounted prices and the opportunity for consumers to indulge in bulk buying. This is often the attraction of hypermarkets as consumers are pulled in by the product variety and the relatively low prices.
Yonex Co., Ltd.; Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.; Head; Babolat; Wilson Sporting Goods; Gamma Sports; Pacific Holding GmbH; Maus Frères SA; Authentic Brands Group LLC; and Freewill Infrastructures Pvt. Ltd. are among the prominent players profiled in the tennis racquet market report. In addition, several other players have been studied and analyzed during the study to get a holistic view of the market and its ecosystem. The tennis racquet market report also includes company positioning and concentration to evaluate the performance of competitors/players in the market.