They are a combination of fit, health-conscious people who are already involved in tennis, especially at the club/recreational level; plus armchair tennis fans and professionals.

23.5 million Americans play tennis on a regular basis, with the highest levels of participation in California, Florida, New York, Texas and Illinois. In the past three years, the USTA’s “Tennis Plan for Growth” attracted more than 775,000 new players to the sport; the number of Americans regularly playing tennis has increased 27% since 1996.

Tennis demographics are impressive – and approximately equal to those of golf. Tennis fans have a median income of $120,000.

There are almost equal numbers of men and women, more than 70% with college educations. Their average age is 29 – 47 (depending on the survey quoted), more than half are in professional/managerial lines of work, and 90% own a computer. The audience for men’s professional tennis is split roughly 50-50 between men and women.

Tennis is a top three favorite sport throughout most of the world, and tennis fans are some of the most loyal buyers of sponsor products. Tennis equipment and clothing sales, and tennis-related travel increased by double digits the past two years.

The US Open is the highest-attended sporting event in the world, with more than 620,000 attendees. In 2002, the $420 million it brought to the city’s economy was more than the Yankees and Mets combined generate over an entire season. The 2004 US Open purse will top $17.75 million, and will potentially exceed more than $19 million – representing the highest purse in sports. The 2004 Pacific Life Open shattered its previous attendance record by 27.6%. A total of 267,834 fans attended 20 sessions during the event’s 12 days.

Tennis television coverage increases each year. In 2003, ESPN/ESPN2 committed to a 12% increase in coverage; following a 2002 ratings increase of an average 21%. Fox, USA, TNT and CBS plan extended live and live on tape tournament coverage in 04 and 05. The advent of the U.S. Open Series, carried on multiple networks, is expected to have a positive impact on viewer patronage. Masters series, Davis Cup, International Series, Challenger, College, Charity and Junior events are all getting significant air time. The Tennis Channel has a potential reach of 21 million tennis players and fans in all U.S. states besides Alaska, and is adding one million viewers per month. Tournaments are run in prime time, 7-10 pm; reaching an estimated 300,000 viewers.

Each slam tournament broke attendance and viewing audiences by large margins in 03. More than 75 million viewers watched the 2003 US Open in the United States on CBS Sports and USA Network; and international broadcasts reached 165 countries. Federer's four set 04 Wimbledon victory over Roddick drew a 3.6 overnight rating Sunday on NBC, an increase of 2.7% over the previous year.

More than 1.6 billion hits are registered on the usopen.org web site during the two week tournament; 3.2 million individual visitors were recorded on the 2001 wimbledon.org site, during the tournament.