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Tennis Impact
Tennis is the
World’s Healthiest Sport
Discover all the reasons why and how you can experience it for yourself
Tennis is the
World’s Healthiest Sport
Discover all the reasons why and learn how you can experience it for yourself
9.7
More Years of Life
Tennis players add 9.7 years to their life compared with sedentary individuals
56%
Lower Cardiovascular Risk
Playing tennis just 3 hours per week can reduce cardiovascular health risk by 56%
20%
Boost in Mental Health
Tennis players are 20% more likely to report strong mental health than other sport and activity participants
9.7
More Years of Life
Tennis players add 9.7 years to their life compared with sedentary individuals
56%
Lower Cardiovascular Risk
Playing tennis just 3 hours per week can reduce cardiovascular health risk by 56%
20%
Boost in Mental Health
Tennis players are 20% more likely to report strong mental health than other sport and activity participants
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The Ultimate Sport for Holistic Health
Playing tennis provides a wide range of health and wellness benefits that make it an ideal activity for anyone at any age.
Cardio Excellence
Tennis provides optimal cardiovascular conditioning through interval training patterns that strengthen the heart and improve circulation
Total Body Fitness
Tennis engages every major muscle group while improving flexibility and bone health
Accessible for All
People of any age, environment, social, intellectual, or physical ability are invited. Learn more about adaptive tennis here.
Playing tennis provides a wide range of health and wellness benefits that make it an ideal activity for anyone at any age.
The Ultimate Sport for Holistic Health
The Ultimate Sport for Holistic Health
Playing tennis provides a wide range of health and wellness benefits that make it an ideal activity for anyone at any age.
Playing tennis provides a wide range of health and wellness benefits that make it an ideal activity for anyone at any age.
Playing tennis provides a wide range of health and wellness benefits that make it an ideal activity for anyone at any age.
The Ultimate Sport for Holistic Health
Playing tennis provides a wide range of health and wellness benefits that make it an ideal activity for anyone at any age.
Cardio Excellence
Tennis provides optimal cardiovascular conditioning through interval training patterns that strengthen the heart and improve circulation.
Total Body Fitness
Tennis engages every major muscle group while improving flexibility and bone health.
Accessible for All
People of any age, environment, social, intellectual, or physical ability are invited. Learn more about adaptive tennis here.
"Based on the scientific evidence available, it is difficult to find an activity that offers as wide a range of overall health benefits as tennis, and individuals who take up tennis reap tremendous rewards." (Kovacs, et al., 2016)
- Longevity
- Cardiovascular Health
- Well-being
Tennis adds more to your life expectancy than other sports or activities.
(Schohr, et al., 2018)
Tennis adds more to your life expectancy than other sports or activities.
(Schnohr, et al., 2018)
Years of Life Expectancy Gained vs. Sedentary Group
Different Sports and Activities
Tennis adds more to your life expectancy than other sports or activities.
(Schnohr, et al., 2018)
Participation in racquet sports for 3 hours/ week reduces risk of cardiovascular death more than more other sports or activities.
(Oja, et al., 2017)
Participation in racquet sports for 3 hours per week reduces cardiovascular health risk more than other sports or activities.
(Oja, et al., 2017)
Reduction in Cardiovascular Health Risk
Participation in racquet sports for 3 hours per week reduces cardiovascular health risk more than other sports or activities.
(Oja, et al., 2017)
Tennis players report better life satisfaction, mental health, community connection, and self-confidence than those who participate in other sports and recreation.
(Kinetica U.S. Sports, Recreation and Wellbeing Survey 2025)
Percentage of Respondents Indicating High Levels of Satisfaction with Area of Life
Self-Reported Health and Well-Being Indicators
Tennis players report better life satisfaction, mental health, community connection, and self-confidence than those who participate in other sports and recreation.
(Kinetica U.S. Sports, Recreation and Wellbeing Survey 2025)
- Player
- Provider
Red Ball Tennis drops the pressure and dials up the fun of the classic game we all love. Host Red Ball Tennis and serve up some smiles.
If tennis starts with love, coaches are the beating heart. Discover the new community for coaches like you.
If tennis starts with love, coaches are the beating heart. Discover the new community for coaches like you.
Your central destination to access USTA tools, including the new Serve Tennis Digital Platform, Marketing Generator, Resource Library and more.
Is Tennis Really the ‘World’s Healthiest Sport’?
September 5, 2024
“...a whole body of research, not to mention common sense, shows that the health effects of tennis are particularly powerful.”
September 5, 2024
“...a whole body of research, not to mention common sense, shows that the health effects of tennis are particularly powerful.”
March 11, 2025
"If it feels like everyone and their mother is playing tennis these days, that's because they probably are—and they're getting some serious benefits."
March 11, 2025
"If it feels like everyone and their mother is playing tennis these days, that's because they probably are—and they're getting some serious benefits."
July 7, 2025
"...tennis naturally involves short bursts of intense effort, like sprints and rapid direction changes, which improve cardiovascular fitness..."
“It’s very unusual to find someone in my age in my physical condition and mental condition to play tennis,” Kuechel said. “It’s a wonderful sport, and you meet new people. Every day I look forward to playing tennis every morning. You feel good about yourself.”
Twice a week, nearly every week, for almost 50 years, this group of four friends have gotten together at Westlake Country Club for a friendly tennis match.
At 89 years old, [Dr. Mike O'Brien is] the kid of the group. "The baby!" said Richard Baughn, who is 100 years old, "Junior." Baughn jokes that the group is all "older than dirt but still above it" and calls himself "Geezer 1."
Ken Haruta is living proof of those statistics every day – sometimes even twice a day. And while tennis two-a-days sound impressive in their own right, for 93 year-old Haruta they are even more so.
“He just loves life and lives it to the fullest,” said Andraea Drabenstott, Haruta’s coach for the past 10 years. “He does more than most people half his age and is so inspiring in all aspects of life, especially his tennis. He's up to playing five days a week with no end in sight.”
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