Issue: Winter/Spring 2007 Front Page | Utah Tennis Home 2007 was a record year for tennis in America, with every aspect of the game experiencing positive growth. The attendance for the U. S. Open was at an all-time high, a total of 715,587. In fact it was the highest attended annual sporting event in the world. The television viewership for the U. S. Open Series was also an all-time high, over 46 million. In total, 121 million viewers tuned in to the U. S. Open and U. S. Open Series tournaments. In 2007 Tennis experienced the fastest growing participation number for any major sport since 2000. Over 25 million Americans are now playing tennis. We also experienced an all-time high in USTA memberships, over 720,000 members. On the court the U. S. won the Davis Cup for the first time in 12 years. 2007 was also a good year for tennis in Utah. Overall tournament participation was up 14 percent, with junior participation up 18.5 percent and adult participation up 8.2 percent. As with the country as a whole, USTA membership in Utah increased (by about 5 percent). Even though overall league participation in the Salt Lake area remained flat last year, Southern Utah was a bright spot, with League Participation in St. George up 30 percent. Some of the major accomplishments the Utah Tennis Association witnessed in 2007 included: 1) The very successful Utah Junior Tennis Foundation Fundraiser (raising over $16,000.). 2) ITA Wheelchair Tennis Camp hosted by Utah Tennis and the new partnership established with the University of Utah Rehabilitation Center and the TRAILS program. 3) The Sports Mall Junior Team Tennis 14 & Under Advanced, winning the National Championships. 4) Three newly established Community Tennis Associations -      Heber Valley Tennis Association      Wasatch Community Tennis Association      Utah Tongan Tennis Club I would like to recognize two out-going board members for their outstanding work and dedicated participation as committee members and tournament volunteers. Marilyn Burrell, Utah Tennis Association Treasurer, and Shawna Paterson, Utah Tennis Association Board Member. Thank You both for your efforts, we will miss you! As we move into 2008 our goal remains "to get more people playing tennis, and to get all tennis players playing more often." 2007 numbers are evidence that our efforts are producing results. I look forward to continuing our efforts in 2008 and watching tennis continuing to grow and improve in Utah. Ken Harris President Utah Tennis Association   < Back