The Growing Interest in Women’s Sports and the Role of Tennis

Women’s sports have attracted increasing interest from spectators, with WNBA franchise valuations climbing significantly. Recent events like March Madness and the Winter Olympics set new viewership records for women’s competitions. More young girls are participating in sports, inspired by athletes like Simone Biles, Serena Williams, and Caitlin Clark.

Maintaining Sports Participation Beyond Adolescence

One significant challenge is extending this engagement past adolescence. As school sports options diminish, women often lose the structures that help them consistently participate in sports. Participation commonly declines just when the lifelong benefits become most pronounced. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that almost half of American women fall short of basic health guidelines for leisure-time physical activity. In the last year, adult men were almost twice as likely as women to have played sports.

Health and Social Benefits of Sports

Engaging in sports benefits physical health, mental health, and overall well-being. Sports are enjoyable, social activities that can be pursued throughout life. They rank among the most effective forms of physical exercise available.

A study spanning 25 years from researchers in the U.S. and Denmark revealed that social sports such as tennis, badminton, and soccer can extend life expectancy by almost seven years compared to inactive individuals. Even a modest level of participation, such as three hours per week playing racquet sports, correlates with a 56% reduction in cardiovascular mortality and a 47% reduction in overall mortality.

Sports consistently combine exercise with social interaction, both of which are tied to improved mental health. Adults engaged in group sports report lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. This is crucial for women, who face depression rates nearly double those of men. A 2021 study found that adults who were part of a sport or exercise group had fewer symptoms of depression over a four-year period.

Empowering Women Through Sports

Regular participation in sports also boosts confidence. It is telling that 94% of women leaders in high-level executive roles played sports in college. Sports promote discipline, resilience, teamwork, and strategic thinking, even if practiced only a few hours weekly.

The problem is the limited avenues for women to engage in sports after they leave school. Many recreational leagues can be daunting, often dominated by men, and require skills beyond those of casual players. Some sports, like tennis, lower these barriers effectively.

Tennis: An Accessible Sport for Women

Roughly 43% of annual tennis participants are women, a notably high proportion among popular sports, which increases the likelihood of finding partners at similar skill levels. Tennis is accessible through a vast network of nearly 270,000 courts across the U.S., many of which are public. Minimal equipment is needed: a racquet, balls, and court access.

Tennis can be played at any age and adapted to different fitness and skill levels, making it a practical long-term choice for adults. It fosters community connections, acting as a social anchor amidst life’s transitions. Tennis is also an activity many stick with, reflected in a six-year growth streak in U.S. participation.

The sport’s health benefits are significant. Tennis contributes to a 9.7-year increase in life expectancy. Given that 80% of those with osteoporosis are adult women, tennis aids in maintaining bone density, regardless of when one starts.

Tennis provides a holistic, enjoyable workout. One hour of play can burn between 500 and 800 calories, involving the entire body to improve muscle composition, grip strength, and coordination.

Women’s sports should thrive beyond the confines of arenas and screens. As interest in jerseys and tickets rises, so should casual participation in sports like tennis, which offers accessible, social, and sustainable physical activity.

Lindsay Davenport, a former world No. 1 on the WTA Tour, is a three-time Grand Slam singles champion, Olympian, and captain of the U.S. Billie Jean King Cup team. She works as a commentator for the Tennis Channel.