Celebrate National Tennis Month in May!

The reinvigoration of National Tennis Month for May started just four years ago, as a way to offer tennis providers, players and enthusiasts a natural—and national—“platform” to use to grow the game in their communities.

In these four years, the USTA and other industry companies and groups, including USTA sections, have continued to devote more support and resources to National Tennis Month. Everyone realizes that NTM gives every tennis provider—teaching pros/coaches, facilities, park & recs, CTAs, NJTLs, retailers, manufacturers and more—an annual platform in which to bring new players into local programs, inspire lapsed players to re-engage with the sport, and energize existing players to play more tennis.

There’s a good chance, too, that NTM played a major part in this past year’s 8.3 percent participation increase to 25.7 million tennis players in the U.S., and to the increase in retention this sport has experienced.

Keeping it Local

An important focus for NTM has always been on the “local” aspect of promoting the game. For the most part, programming and events are left up to whatever local tennis providers decide is best for their own communities. 

Significantly, providers of all types can also tie their regular programming into National Tennis Month, benefitting locally from this nationwide promotion.

USTA section and local staff and volunteers also have been supporting NTM, running events, exhibitions and promotions throughout May. In fact, a number of sections offer grants for providers that run programs for NTM (check with your USTA section). 

One of the most popular resources on the USTA.com/NTM site have been the “proclamation” templates that providers can download, customize and submit online for states, communities or even schools to declare May as National Tennis Month.

Having a local or state proclamation is a great way to generate publicity and interest in tennis. Last year, well over 100 were issued around the country. The website also has links to submit a proclamation or an NTM success story to win a USTA prize pack. (See the website for details and official rules.)

One of the highlights of National Tennis Month will be the May 10  “Hit to be Fit” event at the USTA National Campus in Orlando and at 300 satellite locations around the country, featuring Cardio Tennis Triples and an adult Red Ball Tennis activation. Visit the website for more information on hosting or attending a Hit to be Fit event.

USTA Connect Partners such as Recycleballs and Court Reserve also are on board, as are major tennis, sports and fitness clubs including Midtown, Cliff Drysdale Tennis/Peter Burwash International, Invited, Genesis, Sportime, Lifetime and Bay Clubs. Key industry partners all supporting NTM include Tennis Industry United, Head, Wilson, Babolat, Dunlop, ITA, ATA and NRPA, along with the educational website GoNoodle.

"There really is something for everyone, so retailers, brands, providers and ultimately consumers all win,” notes Mickey Maule, USTA managing director for Industry & Sales.

"National Tennis Month is a fantastic opportunity for anyone to come out and see all the tennis community has to offer,” says Elliott Pettit, the USTA’s senior director of Retention & Brand. “We hope it can serve as a connector to attract new players, inspire our current players and strengthen ties locally where the game is played. More than anything, we just want people to get out and enjoy the world's healthiest sport!"