Information from the 2024 ITF International Tennis Report is overwhelmingly optimistic for Canadian tennis
Canadian tennis reached one other essential milestone in its improvement at present, 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 research of tennis participation and efficiency on the earth, analyzing knowledge from over 199 nations to focus on the game’s improvement worldwide.
Whereas the rise of Canada as a world-leading tennis nation has been properly documented within the final decade,
most 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 outstanding progress in classes linked to participation.
Some highlights embody:
Canada is now second globally for the share of its inhabitants enjoying tennis at 12.8%. The nation noticed this share develop by 7.1% for the reason that final report, which was revealed in 2021.
The entire variety of folks enjoying tennis in Canada has risen to almost 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 ladies and ladies, 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). Because of 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 enjoying tennis.
The variety of Canadian aggressive junior athletes with world-rankings has additionally grown, with a further 16 boys and 12 ladies since 2022. This development highlights that our aggressive pipeline is flourishing, and that our efforts are main extra gamers to interact totally with the game.
To overview the Canadian outcomes, click on right here.
Peter Kruyt, Chair of the Board, Tennis Canada and member of the ITF’s Strategic Taskforce
“We had 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 will all take delight in these numbers that verify, as soon as once more, our place as a world-leading tennis nation. “
Gavin Ziv, Chief Govt Officer, Tennis Canada
“The 2024 ITF knowledge is extremely encouraging, and it demonstrates that our nation’s efforts to develop tennis are making a big affect. For Tennis Canada particularly, we had recognized clear strategic priorities in our newest 5-year plan, which notably included rising general 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 shiny.”
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
“Enhancing entry to tennis is one in every of Tennis Canada’s prime priorities, and the ITF report confirms there’s essential work to do. Lately, by our infrastructure applications 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 in every single place. Nonetheless, assembly the rising demand and making certain that the inhabitants can totally profit from tennis’ well being benefits require accelerated efforts in year-round sports activities infrastructure improvement.”
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 ready to develop because the Tennis Canada’s Yr-Spherical Group 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 to date) with the purpose being to enhance 100 outside public courts by 2030.
For extra info on Tennis Canada’s participation applications or the way to be part of aggressive circuits, go to www.tenniscanada.com. Canadians can even discover the net 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.
