US Tennis Hopes To Attract New Players With Kid-Friendly Rules

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is teaming up with Nickelodeon and the channel’s annual ‘Worldwide Day of Play’ to attract young players to the sport and promote the recent child-friendly rule adjustments for those aged ten and under. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the USTA have passed new rules that require all sanctioned 10-and-under tournaments to be played using slower-moving and lower-bouncing balls, shorter and lighter racquets, and on smaller courts. These child-sized courts and equipment help youngsters learn to play and get more enjoyment out of tennis.

To spread the word about these rule changes, the newly-promoted chief marketing officer Sue Hunt has spearheaded a partnership with the TV channel Nickelodeon. Every year, Nickelodeon hosts a ‘Worldwide Day of Play’ for children and in September 2012, 1,000 free tennis games will be offered to youngsters nationwide. The channel will also help promote Ten and Under Tennis by airing a number of specially created USTA ads starting in March.

Ten and Under Tennis