New Zealand doesn’t have an overly prolific history in the sport of tennis, but its past is punctuated by a few world-class talents. The likes of Anthony Wilding, Chris Lewis, Dame Ruia Morrison, and Onny Parun highlight the nation’s tennis products. Still, the next all-conquering star can come from anywhere regardless of a country’s history in the sport, but it certainly helps if there’s an easier pathway to good coaching and competition.
In recent years, New Zealand has realigned some of its focus to promoting tennis–and there are even a few star players emerging on the professional scene. With some added exposure, investment, and a greater emphasis on accessibility, perhaps tennis more Kiwis will begin to break into the ATP and WTA ranks.
Popularising tennis across New Zealand
Exposure to a sport comes in many different forms in the modern day, and while getting live viewers is what all sports organizations want, there are several other ways to connect to a sport like tennis. You could look to the availability of tennis courts or even to the entertainment scene subtly promoting it. Tennis clearly has a fan base and appeal in New Zealand because even the selection of online pokies features a bunch of popular tennis games.
Pokies like Centre Court and Tennis Champions have long held a strong player base in New Zealand, particularly at one of the five-star casinos offering 100 free spins for new players. Naturally, these games aren’t directly tied to the sport, and you can click here to learn more about online pokies for real money, but the prominence of tennis here and its popularity speaks to a good following if the sport is accessible.
Like in most countries, professional tennis meets are tied to premium television packages. Sky Sport Now boasts a lot of tennis, including the most accessible (due to time zones) Grand Slam, the Australian Open. As it stands, the main national draws to pay to watch these competitions are Erin Routliffe and Michael Venus in the doubles. You can check out the award the former won for her 2023 efforts, but there is the slight issue of doubles not being as prominent as singles tennis.
Investing in promoting tennis across New Zealand
Up-and-coming Kiwi pros like Ajeet Rai and Lulu Sun have been able to work up through the offering already in place across New Zealand, but further investment would, naturally help. It was found in a 2017 report that, from 1997 to 2014, tennis participation fell by 45 percent, dipping due to the rise of other sports that grade better for perceived fitness and convenience.
In 2018, only 2.22 percent of respondents listed as regular participants in tennis. Yet, a summer 2021 report from Tennis New Zealand reported a higher-than-average sports satisfaction with the club experience, a positive outlook of their club, and value for money. Of course, that’s among those who’re already participating in tennis by joining a club.
This year (2023/24) Sport New Zealand outlined $265,000 to Tennis New Zealand–which is just less than the gymnastics and Waka Ama governing bodies but more than yachting, swimming, and bowls. Still, there have been more positive moves made very recently. As you can read about in this news report, $990,000 was given as a grant to Counties Tennis by the council in Franklin to make for public access to facilities and keep the courts in top condition.
More money does look to be coming in to help promote tennis and offer its players better and more accessible facilities. If those currently on the pro circuit can make their way up to rankings and claim some major tournament victories, tennis will naturally draw in more fans and grow as a sport.
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