During National Tennis Month, USTA Florida will be spotlighting various facilities or programs that have seen exceptional growth and have had a positive impact on the tennis community in the state.
From just last year, tennis grew from 22.5 million participants, to over 23.6 million nationally, that marks another year with over a million people getting involved in the sport. It also marks over 7% of the population in the entire United States participating in tennis.
One facility in Boca Raton, Patch Reef Tennis Center, is doing a tremendous job offering tennis to countless people in the community. In just the past year, Patch Reef has seen insane growth, doubling their memberships to 686 people in 2023. These members are spread out throughout many different tennis programs and racquet sports.
Patch Reef Tennis Center doubled it membership count from last year.
All of the clinics that are being offered at Patch Reef have reached their maximum number for registration. They offer programs for junior players ranging from beginner classes to intermediate classes to brush up on skills that are already developed, to advanced classes. Junior players in Florida, aged 6-17 years old, make up 25% of the 1.65 million in the state. That is the largest of any group.
For adult players, they have a program called SPEC Tennis, that is being used to help teach beginner tennis, as well as help older players get used to the basics of the sport. There are over 500,000 Adult tennis players above the age of 55 in the state, and this program helps introduce the sport to people of that age.
Additionally, the facility now has 13 league night teams that are participating in USTA Florida Adult Tennis Leagues. Patch Reef is looking to add to this number in the upcoming years, as they are constantly getting a flow of players looking to join a team.
There were nearly 57,000 Adult League players in Florida just last season and seeing Patch Reef get 13 teams is great for the growth in Palm Beach County.
Tennis growth is on the rise in Florida for the third year in a row.
Tennis Supervisor, Barbara Cytrynowicz loves the energy that Patch Reef gives to its members. “The center continues to enjoy the growth of all racquet sports,” she said. “More than ever patrons are swinging their way to healthier lifestyle and an active social network.”
Tennis is a lifelong sport and has many positive impacts on your body. Studies show that playing for just three hours a week can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease by 56%. Another long-term study shows that tennis players add 9.7 years to their life over those that tend to be sedentary.
If you are in the Palm Beach area and want to get involved in tennis, visit www.ustaflorida.com/local-play and learn how you can start playing today.
