Information from the 2024 ITF International Tennis Report is overwhelmingly optimistic for Canadian tennis
Canadian tennis reached one other essential milestone in its growth in the present day, because the Worldwide Tennis Federation (ITF) 2024 International Tennis Report launched this week exhibits the nation has climbed the ranks on the world tennis ladder in a number of classes. The ITF International Tennis is essentially the most complete examine of tennis participation and efficiency on the planet, analyzing knowledge from over 199 international locations to focus on the game’s growth worldwide.
Whereas the rise of Canada as a world-leading tennis nation has been properly documented within the final decade,
most just lately when the nation captured back-to-back championship titles on the Davis Cup (2022) and the Billie Jean King Cup (2023), the newest version of the report showcased exceptional progress in classes linked to participation.
Some highlights embody:
Canada is now second globally for the proportion of its inhabitants taking part in tennis at 12.8%. The nation noticed this share develop by 7.1% because the final report, which was revealed in 2021.
The whole variety of folks taking part in tennis in Canada has risen to just about 5 million, up from 3.9 million in 2021—a rise of over 1 million contributors. Ranked sixth globally amongst all nations, it’s an unbelievable achievement for a northern nation that also has challenges associated to offering year-round entry to the game.
Gender fairness in participation has surged in Canada, with 46% of tennis gamers now being girls and women, up from 29.2% in 2021. The nation rose to the highest of its ITF membership group[1] within the final three years (preliminary rank: tenth). Due to tireless efforts to advertise gender fairness in any respect ranges of the game in Canada, we are actually nearer than ever to seeing full gender parity amongst folks taking part in tennis.
The variety of Canadian aggressive junior athletes with world-rankings has additionally grown, with an extra 16 boys and 12 women since 2022. This development highlights that our aggressive pipeline is flourishing, and that our efforts are main extra gamers to have interaction absolutely with the game.
To assessment the Canadian outcomes, click on right here.
Peter Kruyt, Chair of the Board, Tennis Canada and member of the ITF’s Strategic Taskforce
“We have been thrilled to see the outcomes of the newest ITF International Tennis Report. The complete Canadian tennis ecosystem, from our federation to provincial and territorial associations, golf equipment, and municipalities, has labored tirelessly within the post-pandemic years to develop tennis, lengthy believed to be the healthiest sport to play in Canada. Seeing these efforts acknowledged is extremely rewarding. Collectively, we are able to all take delight in these numbers that affirm, as soon as once more, our place as a world-leading tennis nation. “
Gavin Ziv, Chief Government Officer, Tennis Canada
“The 2024 ITF knowledge is very encouraging, and it demonstrates that our nation’s efforts to develop tennis are making a major affect. For Tennis Canada particularly, we had recognized clear strategic priorities in our newest 5-year plan, which notably included rising total participation, advancing gender fairness in any respect ranges, and boosting the variety of gamers in our aggressive pipeline. We progressed in all these areas, unequivocally demonstrating that there’s a robust urge for food for tennis in Canada and the game’s future appears to be like extremely vibrant.”
ACCESSIBILITY TO COURTS REMAINS A CHALLENGE
Whereas the outcomes are overwhelmingly optimistic for Canadian tennis, the report additionally highlights challenges to be addressed within the coming years if the game needs to continue to grow. One such problem is the decline within the complete variety of publicly accessible leisure courts since 2021 (-178), regardless of surging demand and a rising participant base. Canada now far exceeds median participant-to-court ratios inside its peer group.
Eva Havaris, Senior Vice President of Tennis Improvement and Partnerships
“Bettering entry to tennis is considered one of Tennis Canada’s prime priorities, and the ITF report confirms there’s essential work to do. Lately, via our infrastructure packages and with the help of companions like Rogers and Nationwide Financial institution, we’ve centred our efforts on creating extra accessible alternatives to play year-round and we’re already seeing the optimistic affect of our actions all over the place. Nonetheless, assembly the rising demand and guaranteeing that the inhabitants can absolutely profit from tennis’ well being benefits require accelerated efforts in year-round sports activities infrastructure growth.”
Tennis Canada attributes the discount in public courts to a number of elements, together with growing old amenities and conversions to pickleball courts (roughly 60 courts repurposed within the final 5 years). Nonetheless, indoor courts have elevated since 2021 (+68), and efforts are underway to construct extra. This quantity is about to develop because the Tennis Canada’s 12 months-Spherical Neighborhood Tennis Courts Program offered by Rogers will quickly attain 37% of its goal of constructing 160 new indoor courts throughout 30 amenities by 2029. Moreover, the Nationwide Financial institution Play Your Courtroom program, launched in 2023, has additionally began revitalizing courts across the nation (13 courts in complete up to now) with the purpose being to enhance 100 out of doors public courts by 2030.
For extra data on Tennis Canada’s participation packages or find out how to be a part of aggressive circuits, go to www.tenniscanada.com. Canadians may also discover the online platforms of Provincial and Territorial Tennis Associations right here: Provincial and Territorial Associations.
[1] Refers back to the group of countries who share the identical ITF membership share. Canada is a part of a bunch of 14 nations which incorporates: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Czechia, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Russia (suspended), South Africa, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
