When I sat down to write Friday’s “The Paradox of Senior Tennis,” I thought I was veering off into esoteric territory that most people would find tedious. Nevertheless, writing and processing these ideas about the senior tennis competitive culture is important to me. I assumed this weekend’s posts would be largely met with a quick scroll. Instead, the response has been… robust. Readers entered the conversation, offering counterpoints and sharing perspectives that deepened the discussion. Thanks to all who weighed in.
Every response I received on the site, via email, and on social media raised valid and important points. One theme repeatedly emerged: unlike juniors, senior tennis players are juggling complex life responsibilities. I hear that loud and clear. Like many of you, I’m in the thick of caring for aging relatives while still playing an active role in parenting—and now grandparenting. That reality has a profound impact on how we prioritize our time, energy, and yes, our financial resources. Competitive tournament play is a demanding ask when real life is happening on all fronts.
One thing I want to clarify is that when I write about senior tournament tennis, I’m not saying it’s the only valid tennis culture. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with finding fulfillment on local courts with your community. In fact, that’s beautiful. Likewise, choosing to spend weekends on pursuits outside of tennis, such as travel, time with family, volunteer work, or simply taking a quiet moment to breathe, is equally valid. However, there are players out there who want and need a higher competitive outlet in tennis. We should be making space for them, too.
The part I find troubling is that many tennis advocacy organizations are failing in our collective endeavours to encourage and promote senior tournament tennis. There are too few events, which are too far away, and increasingly with formats that drive more attrition than inclusion. To be clear, low participation is a foundational problem that is both a cause and a result. Senior tournaments aren’t working because participation is low, and participation is low because senior tournaments aren’t working. For my part, I often observe that if participation in senior competitive tennis reached the levels it should, I would rarely make it into a Level 1 draw. However, I’d happily trade that privilege for a thriving, accessible circuit with meaningful competition much closer to home.
Promoting a culture that supports competitive senior tennis is about keeping the full range of tennis pathways open, so people can shape their lives in ways that reflect their values.
I’m currently reading “Outlive” by Peter Attia, and its themes are definitely impacting how I am thinking through all of this. The book makes a compelling case for focusing not just on lifespan, but on healthspan, which is defined by how well we live, not just how long. A key idea is that we should pursue meaningful experiences while we can. For some of us, competitive tennis is just one of a myriad of pursuits.
Tennis doesn’t just add years to your life, it adds life to your years. Studies consistently show that people who play tennis live not only longer, but also healthier. The sport supports cardiovascular fitness, mental sharpness, social connection, and mobility, which are all vital contributors to healthspan. In turn, that extended vitality opens the door to more of the non-tennis experiences people cherish.
Tennis is, after all, a sport built for a lifetime and a healthier lifetime as a bonus. I just want to make sure that includes all the ways people might want to play it.
Thank you for your engaging comments. Playing competitive tennis is a choice and a commitment. A commitment to your health and well being and growth. Unfortunately many older players lose the physical abilities necessary to compete. I think tournaments could be enhanced by adding fun and social events. Enhancing the quality of the experience for players and spouses. How about more special dining and socialization with spouses? Social events in special locations. Hold the senior tournaments just prior in locations hosting professional tournaments?
Theresa,
Thanks for your thoughtful articles. As background, I have been involved in tennis in most facets throughout my life with the exception of not being very involved in junior tennis, since I didn’t take up the game until age 15. Still, I have been involved as a high school, college, adult and senior player, currently in the 70s, perhaps the most active senior tournament player in our division. I have taught tennis, adults & juniors and run tennis camp, club and resort operations and directed senior tournaments, though back in the late 70s and early eighties.
As you have noted, there are issues of money, life balance/time and purpose/priorities. For me, this is a $30,000 to $40,000 per year pursuit. I am not particularly wealthy, so tennis represents perhaps a quarter of our annual spending budget. I feel quite fortunate to be able to make this choice. And, it requires not just money, but support from my spouse, also a competitive senior player, though less obsessed than me and support from other family members who want my time for family gatherings and grandchild involvement (eight, on the way to nine).
Why do I do this? First and foremost, I love to compete and the tournament set up within the USTA and ITF system allows me to do this at the highest levels. To combine with that, I am goal oriented and the system is ultimately measurable, by ranking, WTN rating, Gold, Silver and Bronze balls or Medals and tournament and individual victories and losses. This pursuit provides me with personal motivation to get and stay fit, eat better, drink less, get good sleep and is having a very positive impact on my health and mental well being.
The camaraderie of the tournament participants is 98% first class and provides community for me, another positive aspect for health and happiness.
Overall, I think the system is healthy. Tournament availability and participation is not where it was 25 and 30 years ago when team tennis was launched and split away many of the tournament participants who used to participate in tournaments, just in a different form and I would guess that overall participation between the two is well in excess of what the tournaments alone provided. Naturally, as tournament participation fell the number of local and state tournaments diminished in favor of the team leagues and championships. Now we have pickleball as another “competitor” for tennis participation time and money and that is okay as well. Golf is also a competitor for time, money and passion. Some people prefer these formats for their pursuits. I actually enjoy all of these, but prefer the tournament tennis over the others. But, I realize that we compete for resources with these other pursuits.
Tournament tennis can be improved. Here are some suggestions:
1 Entry fees have gone crazy at some tournaments and value has gone down. Each of you probably has a hit list on this item and we all would agree on which tournaments we are talking about. I don’t know what the USTA does these days regarding sanctioning fees or what the provide in economic support to tournaments, but instead of charging sanctioning fees, the USTA could and should be providing more support based on their huge revenue from the US Open. Supporting tennis in all of its forms is equally important as the system of leagues, tournaments, clubs, interaction, events are all related and cross support. The amount of money to make senior tennis more affordable where that is an issue is minimal in the big picture.
2 Accommodations are the biggest expense of all. (note: I pay for a lot of airlines with points when I can’t drive). I have yet to find a tournament hotel with a lower rate than I can get on Priceline or via Airbnb/VRBO. Tournaments can do a lot better and maybe USTA could get a national chain to give a meaningful discount that could be used across the country.
3 Rankings and seeding are very important as they keep the playing system fairest, creating an environment of trust and enjoyment. these should continue to be tweaked to be meaningful. That rankings are specifically “not used” for seeding and team choices indicates a flawed system. After all the mens and women’s tours used rankings exclusively, which promotes participation.
4. Feed in consolation should be the norm to maximize the play the lesser and middle of the road players get. Round robins are great where the number of players allows that to increase participation.
5 Draws should be made as early as possible with starting times and tournament ending times for each division communicated as clearly as possible. This can reduce the cost and time for travel, accommodations and flight changes.
6 Tournament scheduling should be done for the entire tournament when the draws are released. Some tournaments do it and it reduces our costs and time, because we know what to expect and can plan eating and sleeping regimens as well. This can be done! The better tournaments do it and we all know that weather (and long matches) can cause those times to change – that’s okay, we all understand that! You know how many matches you have and how many courts you have. We also know that there will be defaults, so times can be moved up to accommodate special interests. Do the math!
One additional aspect of tournament participation is the element of geography and surface preferences. These keep participation for individual tournaments down. Counting this year, I will have played all four gold ball events in my division. Each of the past two years, there have only been one or two others who have done so. I was recently the only east coaster in the 70s national hard court singles. And, there is a dearth of west coasters playing the national clay in Florida. The indoors always has the lowest participation. This is not going to change! What we have to do is make sure the national tournaments are as well spread geographically as possible and the users will choose. A great tournament will build a loyalty and people will come, but that takes time and running a great tournament!
Teresa – 1st time I’ve read any of your articles… so glad I did. I’m very impressed by your perspective. Seniors are definitely undersupported.
Keep up the ”good work”!
Teresa,
I wasn’t able to comment on your post from yesterday, but I will today. I feel the USTA and our local tennis association, CATA fail us senior players on a regular basis. Whether it be court assignments or tournament support and especially USTA league play. I applaud you for continuing to bring to light the short comings that we face as senior participants.
Nice expansion on the topic! Have a great day and enjoy the upcoming holiday weekend!