What Countries Play Tennis?

A quick guide to the countries that love tennis the most.

Introduction

While tennis is often thought of as a very British sport, it is actually played all over the world. In fact, there are 125 countries affiliated with the International Tennis Federation, and tennis is played professionally in many more countries than that. So which countries play tennis?

Most of the countries that play tennis are located in Europe, Asia, or North or South America. Some of the most notable countries that have a strong tennis presence include the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Russia, Australia, Argentina, and the United States. Tennis is also growing in popularity in China and India.

While Tennis is not as popular a sport in Africa as it is in other parts of the world, there are still several African countries that have professional tennis players and clubs. These include Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa.

The Top Ten Countries That Play Tennis

In no particular order, the countries that play tennis are Spain, Argentina, Russia, Germany, France, China, Great Britain, Australia, the United States, and Italy. These countries all have very different climates, which may be one of the reasons tennis is such a popular sport globally.

United States

While the United States is not typically thought of as a country that loves tennis, it is in fact one of the top countries in the world when it comes to playing the sport. The United States has more professional players than any other country, and its citizens love to watch tennis matches. In addition, the United States has more tennis courts than any other country, making it easy for people of all ages and abilities to get out and play.

China

Even though China is not widely known as a “tennis country,” it actually has a long history with the sport. According to the Chinese Tennis Association, the game was first brought to China by missionaries in the late 19th century. Since then, it has become increasingly popular, particularly in urban areas.

There are now an estimated 100 million people in China who play tennis regularly. The country even hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics, which included tennis events. While there are no Chinese players ranked in the top 100 of either the men’s or women’s singles world rankings, the country does have a strong presence in doubles. In fact, Chinese player Zheng Jie was ranked No. 1 in women’s doubles in 2008 (she is currently ranked No. 12).

Australia

Australia is home to some of the biggest tennis tournaments in the world, including the Australian Open, which is one of the four Grand Slam events. The country has produced some of the most successful tennis players in history, including Margaret Court, Rod Laver, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Ken Rosewall, and John Newcombe.

France

France is a founding member of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and has produced many great champions, including ten Slam winners. French Open, also known as Roland Garros, is one of the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world. The event is held every year at Stade Roland Garros in Paris and is the only Grand Slam held on clay. Clay slows down the ball and makes it bounce higher, which some players find suits their style of play. France has had great success in Davis Cup competition, winning the trophy nine times.

Germany

Germany is one of the top tennis-playing countries in the world. Germany has produced many great tennis players, including Boris Becker, Steffi Graf, and Michael Stich. Germany has also won the Davis Cup (men’s international tennis) twice, in 1988 and 1989. Germany is currently ranked 4th in the world in Davis Cup competition.

Italy

Italy has a long and storied history in the sport of tennis. The country has produced some of the greatest players in the game, such as Gianni Giacomo Regazzoni, Adriano Panatta, and Stefano Black. In recent years, Italy has been a power player on the professional circuit, with players such as Fabio Fognini, Marco Cecchinato, and Andreas Seppi ranking among the world’s best. Italy also has a strong tradition of success in Davis Cup play, having won the tournament eleven times.

Spain

Spain is a powerhouse in the tennis world, and Spanish players have won numerous Grand Slam singles, doubles, and mixed doubles titles. Rafael Nadal is widely considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time, and he has won a record 20 Grand Slam singles titles. Other notable Spanish players include David Ferrer, Roberto Bautista Agut, Garbiñe Muguruza, and Pablo Carreno Busta.

Russia

Russia is a powerhouse when it comes to tennis. With many world-renowned players such as Maria Sharapova and Anna Kournikova, the country has proven time and again that its talent for the sport is not to be underestimated. In recent years, Russia has seen a resurgence in its tennis fortunes, with players like Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev making deep runs at major tournaments. It’s safe to say that Russia will be a force to reckon with in the years to come.

Argentina

Although often thought of as a country of football (soccer) Players, Argentina has produced some of the best tennis players in the world. Notable Argentinian tennis stars include Guillermo Vilas, Gabriela Sabatini, and Juan Martin del Potro.

Argentina has historically been a very successful Davis Cup nation, winning the coveted trophy a total of 14 times– second only to the United States. In 2016, they were runners up, losing to Croatia in the final. They have also won the Fed Cup three times– most recently in 2016 when they defeated the Czech Republic in the final.

Japan

Japan is a powerhouse when it comes to tennis. They have produced some of the best players in the world, including Kei Nishikori and Naomi Osaka.

Japan has a rich tennis history and has been represented in all four Grand Slams. They have won the Davis Cup three times and the Fed Cup once.

Some of the most popular tennis tournaments in Japan include the Japan Open, the Osaka Mayor’s Cup, and the Japan Tennis Championships.

Conclusion

When it comes to tennis, there are a few countries that immediately come to mind. The United States, France, Australia, and England have all historically been powerhouse nations in the sport. However, in recent years, other countries have begun to close the gap and produce some of the best tennis players in the world. Here is a look at some of the top tennis-playing countries in the world today.

Spain has always been a strong tennis nation, but in recent years, they have produced some truly elite players. Rafael Nadal is perhaps the most famous Spaniard in the sport today, and he has won 19 Grand Slam titles. Additionally, Spaniard Garbiñe Muguruza is a former Wimbledon champion and currently ranks 4th in the world.

Switzerland is another strong country in tennis today. Roger Federer is arguably the greatest men’s player of all time, and he hails from Switzerland. Additionally, current men’s world No. 3 Stan Wawrinka is also Swiss. On the women’s side, Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic was ranked as high as No. 7 in the world before an injury derailed her career.

Germany has also produced some great tennis players over the years. German player Boris Becker was one of the best players in the world in the 1980s and 1990s, winning six Grand Slam titles during his career. Additionally, German player Sabine Lisicki reached a career-high ranking of No. 6 in 2013 and has won 22 WTA Tour titles throughout her career.